My friend Teresa and I share posts and memes we see online with each other. We have a similar sense of humor, and we also share similar outrage at things that are making the headlines. 

Last week she sent a post and her comment was “maybe a little daylight is coming.” In response to a post about current events that had a hopeful list of good things that have happened lately. 

I’m an optimist at heart, but I’m not immune from feeling overwhelmed at some of the things happening in the world. There are legitimate suffering, wars and conflicts as well as natural disasters that remind us that at anytime things can go haywire. 

Still, the reminder from a friend that a little daylight showed up, some good news among the headlines made me smile. 

It made me appreciate having a friend who knows me and encourages me, and it reminded me once again that hope shows up when we need it. 

Not when things are perfect, but when we know that things can get better. 

Here’s a short, hope-filled list you can use or adapt:

• The first warm day after a long stretch of cold

• A kind message arriving exactly when you needed it

• A small win that reminds you you’re making progress

• Laughter that surprises you in the middle of a hard week

• A plan on the calendar you’re quietly excited about

• The moment you realize something that once hurt now hurts a little less

• New ideas that make you feel curious again

• Rest that actually feels like rest

Each of these is a quiet whisper of hope: good things are still unfolding.