Hope Never Stops
The very least you can do in your life is figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it. – Barbara Kingsolver
The news these days has not been good. There is so much fear and suffering all around the world. The Corona Virus, signs of destructive climate change, war. We may feel overwhelmed and frightened at our own powerlessness to help.
It's at times like thisthat I like to turn to what people who have faced tremendous difficulties havesaid about life while hanging on to shreds of hope – like Nelson Mandela:"I am fundamentally an optimist. Part of being optimistic is keeping one'shead pointed toward the sun, one's feet moving forward. There were many darkmoments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and couldnot give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death." Or thewords of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who lost his country, his people:"No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful an experience is, if we lose our hope, that's our realdisaster."
Yes, I agree with thesedynamic people who inspire us. We need to be hopeful even in bad times. We knowthat human history is not only about suffering and cruelty, but it’s also filledwith compassion, sacrifice, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in theseconfusing days will determine how we live. If we see only the worst, ourability to do something will be damaged. We need to remember those times andplaces where people have behaved wonderfully. This will give us the boost totake action. Or as Howard Zinn once wrote, “Hope will at least give us thepossibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a differentdirection."
In my own little world ofwrestling with my Paraneoplastic Syndrome, cancer, and my inability to walkwithout assistance, hope is something I have learned to hang onto and to putdaily into perspective. I have to remember that I live in a country with top ofthe line medicine, with awesome hospitals – like the amazing Mayo Clinic thathas saved my life, and compassionate doctors who never gave up on me and who foughtfor me. Yes, I know that hope can spring forth even in suffering, loss, andfear.
So I agree with RobertFulghum, who wrote: "I believe that hope always triumphs over experience.That laughter is a cure for grief." And I love Emily Dickinson’s words:"Hope is the thing with feathers / That perches in the soul / And singsthe tune without the words / And never stops at all." I hope you will readthat last line several times!!
- Are there thingsthat you can focus on that are hopeful for you, that can change yourperspective?
- Are there issuesand losses that make you feel that hope has left your heart and soul?
Beloved Creator of Hope, sometimes we come to Youfeeling hopeless, afraid, thinking that we or the world are really in badshape. But maybe it isn't as bad as we think. Maybe it will work out. Perhapswe don't need to worry. If only we put our trust in You, and move forward withfaith and hope and confidence in the future. Then hope will never stop. Amen.
JoyCarol
www.joycarol.com