A question came to mind regarding hope.

On the subject of hope ... a book that has helped me through past crises is "The Anatomy of Hope", by Jerome Groopman, M.D. He writes of realistic hope (vs. the other kind),.. and how to adjust our goals as we go along. Dr. Groopman is an empathic, pragmatic doctor and a good writer. Also, I'd like to second @edsutton's recommendation of Viktor Frankl's magnificent book "Man's Search for Meaning". If Dr. Frankl could retain some hope in a concentration camp ... and he did... we can learn a lesson from it. He attributes this attitude to helping him survive with and for a purpose, which was in part to write the book and inspire others who suffer.

When I went to college years ago my philosophy teacher assigned students to read Viktor Frankl's - 'Man's Search for Meaning'. That was circa 1979/1980 and I never forgot this profoundly moving book. I just purchased a copy of the book about a year ago for my bookshelf since my first book is in a storage unit far away and at a low point in my recent life, I needed to re-read this book to empower me to not give up. I cannot count how many times I'd recounted the words of that book since having red it over four decades ago now.

Hope is life

Thank you! Your wisdom
Perhaps the philosophy or mindset you have adopted could be called, “living in the moment”? Focusing on “one day at a time” and “what can I control” can foster a realistic sense of empowerment and control that also helps with fear (found in thoughts about the future).
I’m going to find the book (Anatomy of Hope), and read further!
Thank you, Joy, for sharing your hopeful wisdom!!!

Curious...
What does "not giving up" meant to you?

I like a lot of what I read here. Had to learn a few things the hard way, learned that I was somewhat unrealistic or just stuck my head in the sand.
Right now I’m just trying to stay in the moment, and living one day at a time, to the best of my ability.
If I do get depressed or hopeless, I go to my gratitude list. It’s long, and usually that makes me feeling thankful and more positive again.
I also keep this saying in my mind: If today is good, tomorrow will probably be good too.
Basically, I am a positive person, with my kids having me accused of being a polliana? at times.
There may be some truth to that, but I don’t care. I’m 83, lol. Am entitled to some character defects!

Gratitude.
Small word, but it really makes a difference!
Just turning my head around some days from "what I have lost" to "all that I HAVE" makes a huge difference. ❤️

Gratitude.
I can lift my mood just by looking at a color and realizing how wonderful it is to see colors. These are the the things I am most grateful for, the senses that allow me to see, hear and feel the miracles of life around me.

Compare the surface of the earth with the surfaces of the moon or Mars! All of this amazing life growing, singing, moving. Millions of cicadas singing right now, leaving their burrows to aerate and irrigate the soil.

Glad that I have a little bit of knowledge to appreciate life's forms.
And it's mostly a free show!

I'll quote myself from another Mayo Connect discussion. (Grateful for these discussions, for all the folks sharing things that really matter!):

I found this video about 10 years ago.
It changed my life.
I remember some part of it every day.
< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zl9puhwiyw&gt;

Well I would stick around for a more lengthy response, but I must go look at the video you suggested!
Have a great day & thank you

Joy-
It's better than anything I could say.
I hope it speaks to you.
Ed