As the year rounds out and 2023 nears, it’s important to reflect. Cliche, of course but just wait a moment would you? It will always be important to reflect on what has passed, what we’ve learned, and what we wish to do differently in the future. 

“That concept of time measured in days, months, and years brings us plenty of uneasiness sometimes, but more importantly it brings peace.“

It’s a commonplace thing to do, no doubt…to solely mention these intentions when the year is at its end. The cynics and haters will surely criticize these practices and make the point, “why not reflect all year round?” But the truth is, as humans we naturally crave some level of structure. That concept of time measured in days, months, and years brings us plenty of uneasiness sometimes, but more importantly it brings peace. Peace because we are reminded that there is indeed order in a sometimes disorderly world.

And so, when December comes, it comes with peace.  With peace knowing that we can leave things behind. With peace knowing that January brings a whole new set of hopes. Hope is directly correlated to the future. It’s a longing for something that is yet to be. It’s a positive and warm, abstract idea, don’t you agree? And it is precisely what inspired these thoughts today. Hope.

It’s worthwhile to note that the word for “hope” in Spanish is esperanza. Also noteworthy are the nouns “to wait”, esperar, and “to drive to despair”, desesperar.

Esperanza.

Esperar.

Desesperar. 

Much of our language is rooted in Latin, so it’s beautifully captivating that these ancient peoples related such concepts. So much that they did not stray far from the original roots when creating the three unique words. What does that say about the words we choose to express ourselves with? How are these concepts and feelings that come with the words intertwined? 

Hope.

Wait.

Despair.

How they got so far off track when it came to the English language is beyond understanding. They are not at all phonetically related in English. However, to contemplate how a large portion of the world communicates with this choice of vocabulary is fascinating. So let’s delve into an interpretation of the relationship between these three words, shall we?

“But the core principle of hoping is to wait. To not wait, is to not rightly and faithfully hope.“

Since hope is a concept assuming something about the future, you must inevitably wait, esperar. Wait for whatever future you’re wishing to arrive. Wait for one that might not ever arrive. But the core principle of hoping is to wait. To not wait, is to not rightly and faithfully hope. Gotta have a little faith, you know? To not wait, to lose that patience, is to drive yourself to despair. Desesperar. You follow? It’s getting very mumbo-jumbo sounding but hang in there. We’re onto something.

If you choose in your heart (or mind of course) to long for something, you must surrender to a certain degree. If all one does is try and try to control the happenings of life  (having zero patience and faith in the universe), they will only end in despair. Waiting is part of the  game! “Let go and let God” as they say, right? 

You can’t expect to be in total control of everything, everywhere, all the time. This is asking for absolute hopelessness. Don’t be that person. Have a lil’ faith. Have a little patience. Trust the universe and SURRENDER god dang it. Hope is what will drive you forward. Don’t F it up. Remember that as we welcome in the new year. 🙂

Remember to let us know in the comments what you’re hoping for in 2023!