A Foundation of H.O.P.E.: It’s Just About… Life.

Sharing. Purpose. Why. Three words when added together, add up. This addition to your life can make magic.

Living your life on a foundation of H.O.P.E., which means Helping Other People Everyday. The president of the company I used to work for first used that acronym and I have never forgotten it, though at times I have “mis-remembered” it. It is at those times, it becomes time, to get back to basics. The desire to help other people to become more, to grow, to reach their goals, makes your life more meaningful because you matter, because you make a difference. Whether you’re helping a customer, a friend, or the easiest to help and the easiest to take for granted, a member of your own family. H.O.P.E. makes the seemingly impossible possible, for them and for you.

I had a conversation with a friend the other day about how the smallest things, the smallest changes make the biggest difference. It’s focus on the fringe, it’s living out on the edges, it’s the smallest nudge in the right direction that can have the most impact, that can move mountains. Do something small every single day without fail and big things happen, especially when you look to grow and in turn help others to do the same. When you look for the opportunity to help someone first, before you help yourself, the end result is pre-determined, it’s destiny. How can you not enrich your life by doing your best to enrich theirs. It can be as simple as saying thank you, or as deep as taking them in, taking them under your wing, and taking on much more.

Want to make it eerily easy – I’ve learned that the simple act of saying someone’s name when you speak to them, or thank them for their service, does wonders for their ego and their soul. Because it’s been proven that the sweetest word to someone’s ears, to their mind, and to their heart, is the sound of their own name. It’s the word they have heard more than any other in their life, and it resonates in ways which are hard to define, but it makes them feel important and that’s what matters.

The topic of H.O.P.E is one which could fill the pages of many blogs, or even a book. It’s impossible to paint the picture with just a few hundred words, or a few minutes of your time, so I won’t even try. But what I will do is to try to bring it to life, here in this space and in the space of my life, every day. It’s the decision I have made to become more, by helping others to do the same. But the decision, by itself, is meaningless, the simple act of making that decision has no purpose. It’s management of that decision, the vision, the action, the discipline and the focus to make a difference in the lives of others. Consistency is the magic factor. It’s a journey with no end, but a win every step along the way. Who doesn’t want to live a victory every day?

To share, with purpose, my why. For you. We’ve only just begun.

Until next time, thanks for taking the time.

Mark