Hope Springs Eternal – At least, we hope it does.

1 May 2026

by Christine Rowlands, ISWA Counsellor

Hope is a word that we hear and use in so many contexts that it can become something we never pause to really consider. After all, what is hope? We wish it for others when they face physical and intellectual tests, as they embark upon travel adventures, feats of endurance, when they’re struggling with fear or illness, as they celebrate marriage, announce the imminent arrival of a child or as they plan a picnic despite threatening skies.

It would be understandable, given the seemingly intractable conflicts in various corners of the globe, for hope to become diminished or for it to disappear from our lexicon altogether. It could even be perceived as naïve to cultivate and nourish hope when there are such fundamental clashes of beliefs and values underpinning these conflicts.

Educators, though, are in the ‘hope business’. Committed to facilitating young people to be their best possible selves, educators are imbued with hope. Why? Because they are aware that hope enriches life. They believe in the innate potential of students, their uniqueness, curiosity, original thinking and the ways they benefit us all as representatives of their families, experiences and cultures. They have ambitious plans and great dreams. Young people can think flexibly and are open to trying new experiments, as well as cultivating new habits. They question why and ask: ‘What if?’

Hope is a way of thinking or a state of being. Hope Theory, a positive psychology concept developed by American psychologist Charles Snyder, distinguished hope from a wish. Hope comprises having a goal, tapping into willpower to remain motivated and trying various pathways to achieve that goal. Hope is a reminder that kindness, effort, and integrity can make a difference.

Harvard University’s Human Flourishing Programme (Human Flourishing Programme) found that ‘those with more hope throughout their lives had better physical health, health behaviours, social support and a longer life. Hope also led to fewer chronic health problems, less depression, less anxiety and a lower risk of cancer’. Unhelpful emotions can weaken immune systems.

As any historian will attest, uncertainty is a constant aspect of the human condition. Dr Hannah Critchlow, author of ‘The 21st Century Brain’ argues that ‘In a rapidly changing world, the ability to tolerate uncertainty may be one of our most important cognitive skills’ and … ‘the capacity to tolerate ambiguity – to sit with not knowing – appears central to flexible, creative and resilient thinking. She suggests shifting mindsets away from disaster to curiosity, adapting our thinking to avoid catastrophising and being open-minded enough to consider alternative perspectives.

‘We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope’

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Pathways of our Visible Wellbeing Programme remind students every day that identifying and mustering their strengths, gaining mastery of their emotions, attending mindfully to the infinite beauty of the world, forming trusting, reciprocal relationships, learning methods of coping and staying true to their constructive habits and goals will foster wellbeing throughout their lives.

At ISWA, there are innumerable ways we nourish hope every day. Some examples are –

Connecting with students, even through a simple smile or greeting.
Remembering that hope helps us to persevere through pain, loss or failure. Without hope, suffering can feel pointless
Specific strength spotting in individuals
Paying attention to, and expressing appreciation for, positive moments
Engaging in caring and nurturing activities, for ourselves and those in our community
Gently reminding students of strategies they can use to build reserves of hope
Prioritising the people and things we value
Practising gratitude

None of us are ignorant of the fact that, of course, goals are not always able to be met. Being flexible and adopting a growth mindset can help in such circumstances. We can guide students to keep hold of positivity and work on realistic ways to re-think their goals. We can frame these as opportunities for learning.

So, supports problem‑solving and persistence. It allows us to take action even when there are no certainties. Perhaps the world would be a better place for us all if there was hope in every heart and mind.

‘I’m not an optimist. I’m a prisoner of hope.’

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond M. Tutu, South African Activist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient

Have a great weekend,

Chris Rowlands

School Counsellor

References:

Harvard Health Why Hope Matters

Hope is a choice to make things better

Having a sense of hope Innovative Resources

Why is hope so important Psych Central

How hope can keep you happier + healthier Greater Good

Hope is the antidote American Psychological Society