Hoping for hope

The Mumbai terror attacks have let down every Indian. Here's how we can still cultivate a spirit of hope, even when all around there is the imminent threat of terror.
Under normal circumstances, it's natural to lose and regain hope, because no one mood can last eternally in any of us. But what happens when you are a victim of a terrorist attack? The angst of losing a loved one, the trauma of being a hostage or the apprehension that your family may or may not come home tonight ...some experiences are so painful that it seems as if all hope is lost.
"But nobody can live without hope, even if it were only for the smallest things which give us satisfaction, even under the worst of conditions. Without hope, the tension of our life towards the future would vanish, and with it, life itself," says Ajay Kumar, a Delhi-based Reiki healer. So, do we have a right to hope? Is there justified hope for each of us, for nations and movements, for mankind and perhaps for all life? Do we have a right to hope, even, against hope? Even against the reality of death?
You may be living through a terrible trial right now, but even though you feel as if darkness has defeated you, there is a way to regain your faith and restore faith in mankind. "The first step in seeking happiness is learning. We first have to learn how negative emotions and behaviours are harmful to us and how positive emotions are helpful. We must also realise that these negative emotions are not only very bad and harmful to us personally, but are also harmful to society and the future of the whole world," states His Holiness Dalai Lama on a web site.
"Concentrate on your inner self, who you are, what's good for you, how you can have a positive influence on other people's lives and practice positive living. This is one of the best ways to regain your beliefs in humanity after going though such dramatic trauma," suggests Renu Sharma, a spiritual healer.
Baba Jyotiraditya advises, "Reject calls to desert your own identity, ignore covetousness and the spurious promises of consumerism and advertising. Nothing that they promise can enhance or enrich life; they only lead to more unfulfilled greed for more. Spend an hour a day thinking of all the things in life you are grateful for and thank God for them. Be positive and think how life could have been worst. Fly higher and further."
According to Dr A.K Singh, a clinical psychiatrist, anyone who has undergone a life-at-stake ordeal or lost a loved one, the process of rejuvenating faith and hope can be long and tricky. He suggests an easy exercise, "Set a vision for every single day and then mentally see yourself achieving it in order to program your brain to believe that it's possible or true. Become aware of the small opportunities that present themselves every day. The more you act on these opportunities, the easier it is to envision yourself in a peaceful, glorious place. And, the more you believe that your vision will come true, the more motivated you will be to take actions that move your life forward. It may still be a circular path, but at least it will be one that rolls in a positive direction. Create a vision of your future. Look for the opportunities that arise each day, this will help you regain hope in your life."
Hope can assuage fear, propel us to laugh and accomplish long-dormant tasks; hope makes us reach out to family and friends and to make plans for the future. Hope is energy, so don't let it go!