It is time for us to find hope. Hope comes from inside of us but can be triggered by the words and ideas of others. There are many people who are thinking in ways that make me feel encouraged about the future of humanity. If you watch the nightly news and think that is the only truth about what is going on, you miss out on people who are thinking in expanded ways. The expanded thinkers don't make it on the news but their ideas should be the nightly headlines.

Recently, I have felt hope inside thanks to having an open mind to expansive ideas. Here are a few I wanted to share with you today:

On Huffington Post there is a series of 18 TED Talks that are being presented because of the influential ideas that will help shape 2012. Check this series out: the talk today is exceptional by Brene’ Brown

There is a young man named Chris Guillebeau who writes about the art of non-comformity has a new manifesto worth reading if by chance you want an extraordinary life. The manifesto is called The Tower. The Tower will help you think big about what matters to you.

Many of the TED Talks, which you can find on YouTube, are exceptional. There will help you expand your mind and open your heart. One of my favorites lately has been Sir Ken Robinson on the importance of creativity. If you are concerned about education, this talk will be enlightening.

I am sure you will enjoy the ideas above. Hope really begins inside from being full present and from being open in mind and heart. When we are present and open, we are available to hope and that makes us feel better. What gives you hope? Are you hopeful for 2012?