The mechanics of hope

~ Jason Schwartz

Ok this post is a little odd.

I’ve spent a lot of years trying to understand the transmission/kindling of hope in others.

A friend recommended the podcast, “Missing Richard Simmons.” It’s good! But, I’m not posting this to recommend it.

There’s a segment in the first episode with a person named Kathy whose life was affected by Richard Simmons. You can hear her at 16:23 of the podcast.

It’s a nice story of him kindling hope in her life that led to important, positive change for her.

What are the essential elements of the story?

  • Going beyond what’s expected?
  • Commitment and consistency?
  • Equivalence and reciprocity?
  • Kindness?
  • The indirect message of the elements above – “you are important”?

What have I missed?

It’s also worth noting what wasn’t mentioned: him being an expert, giving advice, etc. Connection seems to me much more important than any of that.

Published by Jason Schwartz

I have been an addiction professional and social worker since 1994. I started blogging in 2005 as the Clinical Director at Dawn Farm. I no longer work at Dawn Farm and am now the Director of Behavioral Medicine at a community hospital, and a lecturer at Eastern Michigan University’s School of Social Work. Views expressed here are my own. Keep in mind that the field, the contexts in which the field operates, and my views have changed over time.