Emotion Thesaurus Entry: Hopeful

Flutter in the belly
Lighthearted feeling
A gasp
An excited shriek
Clutching at the chest or belly
Floaty feeling, like all your burdens have been removed
Tingling limbs
Brightened countenance
Covering the mouth with a hand, eyes wide and shining
A hesitant smile turning radiant
Deep breaths
Straighter posture/higher carriage
A jolt through the body
Waving/flapping hands
Bouncing on the balls of feet
Quivering breaths
Trembling voice
Eyes shining with tears
An effort to not get too excited (clasped hands, holding oneself still, etc)
A sense of calm, like everything's going to be okay
Stalwart belief that things will work out; someone who won't be shaken
Refusing to consider, speak of, or listen to the negative possibility
Rapid swallowing & nodding
Talking under breath to oneself about the best outcome
Prayer/plea to God "Please let this work!"
Making enthusiastic preparations for 'best case scenario'
Chattiness, babbling
Verbalizing what can be done to encourage the best possibility to happen
New found determination to see things through to a favorable outcome (networking with someone involved, preparing the way, practicing a skill, studying, working extra hard, working on appearance, etc, whatever applies)
Rapt, positive attention on a task or person involved
Hands clasped in prayer, pressed to lips, eyes closed
Talking yourself down to another from high expectations or beliefs "Okay, okay, I know. Anything could happen. But still..."
Movement (getting up to walk around, rearranging things, straightening, looking out a window)
Arms clutching sides while moving about (expending nervous energy), showing cautious hope, a willingness to believe things will be all right
Eyes looking up and exhaling
Gaze darting to a person or object that symbolizes hope (a friend in the know, a police officer, the phone, TV news program, etc)