Hope is perhaps the most important emotions human beings live on. Not for nothing has it been said that " Hope Springs Eternal ". And it should. Had it not been for hope, I can't even imagine how your Grandma and I would have survived decades of being suppressed. It was Hope and belief that finally gave us the strength to emerge from that situation.
Do you remember reading A Cup Of Peace? It would have been so easy for your Grandma to give up and resign herself to her "fate". But that is not what she did. She believed life could be better and took action.
Yes, Hope is good, but Hope + Action is what makes the difference.
We all hope for a better tomorrow, a healthier and happier life, and of course, a slimmer body! Students hope for excellent results, adults hope for financial security and health.
But nothing comes without taking action and doing what is necessary. Hope basically inspires you to focus on what you want and then, take steps to get it.
You know Stephen King is among my favorite authors. One of his books, Different Seasons, that I read, back in 1983 is something I particularly enjoyed. This book is a collection of four novellas and very different from his usual stories. Of these, "The Shawshank Redemption" which was made into a fantastic movie later, was one I enjoyed tremendously. It is a story that exemplifies Hope.
Andy Dufresne is accused of killing his wife and her lover and faces two consecutive life terms of rigorous imprisonment with no chance for parole. Truth is Andy did not commit those crimes. At the prison, he becomes friends with Red, another prisoner and goes through tough prison times, learns to adapt and eventually escapes after 19 years. Andy never loses hope. He always believes things will get better. Holding on strongly to his hope, he gets through those 19 years in prison, quietly hacking away at his rock cell wall every night with a hammer to make a tunnel.
The warden later finds that he just - I quote - "up and vanished like a fart in the wind". He crawls through the tunnel, getting through sewage and escapes into the Pacific coast in Mexico. He gets together with his friend, Red, from the prison and settles down to life and freedom.
'Remember, Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.' Stephen King, The Shawshank Redemption
The book and movie have some great dialogues and quotes - and yes, I can ramble on and on about it.
Point is, even in seemingly impossible situations Hope gives people the strength to endure and emerge victorious. Where there is life, there will always be hope. I wonder if you remember that stone block in our backyard that had a little square cut in the middle. Someone filled that space with soil and everyone laughed, assuming nothing could grow there. Then somehow nature took her course and a little plant sprouted - and flourished, flowered.
Hope is like that, an anchor for the soul.
Albert Einstein said:
When your Grandma was diagnosed with lung fibrosis, the doctors declared that she would probably live for another 6 months. I remember how she laughed and told them, "Ha! I hope to be around for at another ten
years and enjoy my grandson before I go". She lived for 12.
Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
When you believe that you can get the outcome you desire, your efforts will be geared to that outcome. Hope motivates you to work hard with a positive attitude. Yes, hope is a good thing. As you go through life's challenges, never give up hope. For now, I urge you to prepare for your exams with hope in your heart. Good things await you!
For my part, I hope you always find a reason to smile.
So blessed to be your Mom
H is for Hope
H is for a Health tip at LifeHacksForDiabetics
H is for Happiness tip at LifeHacksForHappiness