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Re: Fear and Hope

Jill said Apr 24, 2007, 6:12 AM:

I agree with the idea of releasing expectations. This wasn't what he'd been talking about. It was the fear to hope at all. It was more of a “Why bother” and “Hope will crush you”….. which just said 'victim mentality' to me.

When I surrendered to the Divine and honored the hope I would find the man for me… I also let go of expectation on who that would be and how he would enter my life and simply opened myself up for something miraculous. I think that is how I would differentiate hope and expectation.

Do you know where I can find a copy of “In Exile”?

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Re: Fear and Hope

Enlightened.thinker said Apr 24, 2007, 6:27 AM:

Ok..yes, a much different thing. Yes, it does sound like a victim mentality, but it also speaks to lack of faith and also fear. I have felt this way before, it was during a “Dark Night of my Soul” and hopefully this will change for this person in time.

You can go to Project Gutenberg to get this story and download it free since Anton Chekhov is an older writer and past the copyright laws.

He has about 2000 short stories, I must warn you, but it should be there. I have my students download it from there. If not: google “in exile by chekhov.” You will find it. It is 6-8 pages I think.

Re: Fear and Hope

Jill said Apr 24, 2007, 10:38 AM:

Awesome. I will do that.

I've had that constricting fear that preceeds the dark night of the soul. There are moments too intensely painful to eek out the space held in faith.

Best book I have ever read on matters of faith and hope in the most dire of all circumstances is a book by Immaculee Ilibagiza. It is called “LEFT TO TELL”. She survived the Rwandan genocide after spending over 90 days in a tiny bathroom with 7 other women while her neighbors screamed her name and searched for her as one more “cockroach” they were intent on killing. She emerged at 65 pounds and filled with a faith and hope that still brings me to my knees.

Most hopeful and beautiful book I've read!

Re: Fear and Hope

Enlightened.thinker said Apr 24, 2007, 10:59 AM:

WOW..sounds like one I shall have to read..and maybe share with my students eventually….
Thanks