Hopeservations

Then & Now

Follow your heart! I often follow my heart down little paths in Ormond Beach, Florida.

“Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.” meaning, “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” – Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr

It’s so true, as much as life marches on in change, somethings stay the same.

You catch little glimpses of it in your routine. Daily habits, patterns, the comfort zones we re-create or fall into time and again.

Some are as simple as the way we wave, some we are aware of and makes us happy, and some run far deeper and rule our lives even as we are blind to the subconscious manner in which we are driven or make those choices. Sometimes it is something cute, small and insignificant or perhaps it enhances our lives in some manner and brings us balance or joy!

Other times it may be far greater and holds us back from developing into our fullest most actualized selves. In the end, only each individual can make that determination and the possible necessary change as we come to that recognition.

So often it gives us much to think about and provides us with decisions to make.

So often, right in the very moment! Sometimes it feels disheartening and other times exactly what’s necessary.

For me, I have always had two sayings…

“At Spes Infracta (Yet my hope is unbroken)”

and

“Hope anchors the soul.”

These have been powerful words to me over the years and have always been what keeps me both bouyant yet balanced and lifted while remaining level through all my hardships and trials…and changes.

Like all humans, I have had my share!

Turns out, I’ve always looked for signs, kindred people, and places to be the universe’s way of helping guide me in choices for some of life’s harder decisions.

The anchor has become a deep symbol to me and one of the reasons I wear it around my neck.

It’s a symbol so I don’t lose my own place of hope in this often chaotic world as I move forward, making my own decisions and changes in life.

There has never been an anchor I haven’t loved. This one is from a journey to Tybee Island, Georgia.

Ironically, just this last year, a door opened that had previously been closed. Sometimes doors close and you think it’s for good and you accept it. You move along.

It’s okay, that’s life.

That had been my thought process, only as this previously closed door was slowly opening (again)…I kept thinking the door would close again. It was to my surprise that as this door did open, it didn’t close and in fact, it just swung more open and forthright in an abundance of gratitude and light!

It has been said that the definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results!

So no matter how great a phase in life starts, if you continually navigate the pieces and parts to constantly recreate the same broken patterns, it will eventually lead to the same broken results!

Right?

Yet we are human! We sometimes learn from our mistakes! We have “AHA” moments and take aways to apply to a new go around at life and how wonderful is that?!

So when our spirit speak to us about changing direction, making decisions or walking through open doors, we have to clear the peripheral chatter to hear the answers.

We have to trust our anchors.

It’s amazing how you may have to come a full circle in your personal quest only to realize where you started was really where you always belonged?

Like a very wise friend once told me; “the cost of not following your heart, is spending the rest of your life wishing you had.”

I think she read it somewhere, or maybe someone told it to her?! I don’t know, only I do know she was speaking from her own experience and her recent decision to make an abrupt change in life so she could follow her heart‘s true path.

I found it to be profound, very brave and applicable to much in life!

So at the end of the day, follow your heart, walk through open doors, avoid broken patterns, forge new ones, be bold, be grateful and full of accepting love and be where your soul is anchored!

Focus on finding what makes you happy and make that your goal.

The rest will fall in line.

Don’t live a life that just happened and because it was convenient, you followed that path.

Be brave!

Truly build the life of your making!

Is your soul anchored somewhere your body is not or vice versa?

If you find yourself saying, “YES!”…go make that life for yourself and certainly don’t spend the rest of your life wishing you had!

…and as always,

Go in love,

6 Comments

  • Ann Marie Sikorski

    So at the end of the day, I always come away with an inner nugget of truth and well being when I read your articles. Thank You.☮️

  • Michael Flannigan

    First of all, I wrote the long heartfelt response to this message of Hope, and forgot to hit post ,so I’m going to try this again. As with the other readings this one did not fail to make me smile and maybe she’d a small tear ( maybe ). This blog was close to home for me, and made me realize how blessed I am in life. I’m reminded by one of my dearest friends that just when I have this thing called life figured out, I don’t and never will. So as long as one door closes and few more open, I think I’ll be alright. BTW some doors should remain open, just for some fresh air.☀️💕

    • Hope Elizabeth Dutton

      Awww – Thanks Michael! I’m so glad it spoke to you… That’s sort of my point in doing this, that everyone can find something of themselves in each one of these and it gives them hope! It’s been a favorite so far by more than a couple people! Fresh air and fresh perspectives are always good. ✌🏼❤️⚓️

    • Hope Elizabeth Dutton

      Awww – Thanks Kelly!!! It’s you who gives me encouragement to keep doing what I am doing, even if I don’t reach many people – reaching a few in a meaningful manner means so much! ✌🏼❤️⚓️

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