Hope points to solutions. At times it points to upcoming solutions and possibilities and at other times it shows directly the actions that are necessary. The former is vague, whereas in the latter situation the necessary action is clear. It is thus evident that Hope exists only within the action and that failure is a guaranteed outcome of inaction. It is a motivation pointing to a reward and thus maintains a person's ability to continue. Without the promise of a reward along the way, many will give up. The lake in which Tantalus stood receded at his attempts to drink and the branches pulled away at his reach; he was like a dog chasing its tail. You may need to offer incentives of Hope along the way as rewards; these are only realized as a reward for specific actions. Inaction or misaction are not rewarded and may include negative consequences instead.

When seeking to and attempting to return, an MLCer will take many missteps, but he will also do some things right and with a genuine heart. Be firm: missteps have consequences, but also offer incentives for appropriate actions. If he has come and left multiple times, there are consequences for leaving and consequences for contacting the OW, but there also must be positive consequences for appropriate behavior--these fuel his Hope and without them, he may discontinue further attempts to return and rebuild.

Signs