Four letter words are fundamental to our everyday communications. Although short in length, they often convey important concepts, meanings or descriptions. Too often we take them for granted or misuse them. Nevertheless, one four letter word that has strongly ‘elbowed’ itself into our consciousness recently is ‘hope’. The deployment of mass vaccinations against Covid-19 has been described as a ‘game changer’ in reversing the effects of this pandemic. More importantly it has brightened the collective mood and spirit. Hope is arguably the most portentous of words, as it surreptitiously provides the building blocks for positive actions and thoughts. For example, the birth of Christ, brought us hope for a better future and ways to achieve that goal. Hope also has the potential to change how we feel about the world and about ourselves. It facilitates a change of state and the expansion of positive feelings, such as happiness. Hope is an opportunity to grasp what makes us happy. However, that happiness opportunity needs nourishment for it to survive and help us to become more resilient. There are some things that we can do which will provide that nourishment by triggering various chemicals such as Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin and Endorphin. A list of actions, per are shown below.
Catenians meet every month to eat and share stories. In these Covid-19 times, we have resorted to Zoom meetings. In our last Zoom meeting, we learnt that two of our great friends, Fred Kettell and Peter Blackburn, and stalwarts of Sutton Catenians, were booked in to have their vaccines. We were so pleased and happy for them. We gave them a metaphorical hug and joked about how they would cope with a vaccine pinprick. The chemicals were triggered and we all laughed together. In a direct way they have given us hope for the future and an opportunity to plan for happier times.
Merry Christmas and a hopeful New Year to you all.
Sutton Coldfield Catenian Circle 232 