Building Daily Hope by SHINE’ing
Transform past challenges into future strength through storytelling and intentional daily practices.
Hope theory research emphasizes the importance of both emotional well-being and goal-directed thinking. Regular practices that maintain positive feelings and connect daily actions to future aspirations can strengthen Hope over time.
Studies show that individuals who regularly engage in goal setting and future-oriented thinking demonstrate better emotional regulation and resilience during setbacks.[1] Hope research shows that regular practice of connecting present actions to future goals strengthens the cognitive patterns associated with hope and resilience.[2]
Start Small by writing or speaking about your mini “Shine Hope Story” to think through how you’ve overcome a challenge in the past.
- Hopelessness: Describe the moment or experience where things felt impossible.
- Stress Skills: What helped you calm down and manage the stress?
- Happiness Habits: What brought small moments of light or joy to build happy hormones?
- Inspired Actions: What step did you take, even when it felt small or uncertain?
- Nourishing Networks: Who showed up for you or reminded you that you mattered?
- Eliminating Challenges: What belief or barrier did you have to let go of to move forward?
Each person who writes a Shine Hope Story becomes a model of transformation, building self-efficacy so they know hopelessness can be navigated and Hope can be taught.
[1] Marques, S. C., Pais‐Ribeiro, J. L., & Lopez, S. J. (2011). The role of positive psychology constructs in predicting mental health and academic achievement in children and adolescents: A two‐year longitudinal study. Journal of Happiness Studies, 12(6), 1049-1062.[2] Feldman, D. B., & Kubota, M. (2015). Hope, self-efficacy, optimism, and academic achievement: Distinguishing constructs and levels of specificity in predicting college grade-point average. Learning and Individual Differences, 37, 210-216.