I don’t know the real genesis of The Army’s brand promise “Giving Hope Today” but I am increasingly convinced that beyond food, shelter and love, hope must be one of the great needs of our lives. Without hope food becomes tasteless, shelter becomes meaningless and love becomes unfelt.

Hope keeps us going when things are hard and hope brings us greater joy in our happy days. Hope lets us look to the future and dream about what might be. My reflection on this and the struggle some have with mental health caused me to buy the magazine, though the cover got me to pick it up!

The article highlights the work of Dr Bessel van der Kolk and his book The Body Keeps The Score.

I am no expert in this field of work, just an observing family member who has deep concern and interest that all our lives be filled with hope!

And I wonder aloud for others to hear, how can we deliver hope into each other’s lives each day. How can we add that small parcel of optimism, kindness and sprinkles of joy?

I know how we can do the opposite. We complain we wail, we yell “the sky is falling” about everything and everyone. We cannot deliver hope to others when we are juxta positioned against any sign of hope. That takes hope out of the air. It deflates the chance of giving hope to anyone, anywhere.

The article is about the impact upon our bodies when we suffer trauma and it wonders about some of the less conventional treatments which are showing merit.

Here’s what I know. I know that I don’t know trauma, but those who do need our full support. Our practical support, and our prayer support, our being present support.