We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Hope: A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.

Hope, for some may seem fruitless. A wishful thinking perhaps, that may never see the light of day. In a broken world, how do we inspire hope, grasp onto hope, sustain hope?

I recently spoke to a young woman who was pondering about the future; in particular about finding love. The kind of love that last forever. Musings about marriage and if this is even possible in the vast concrete streets of New York City. A place with so many people always rushing about, always staring at their phone whilst walking. Completely and sadly unaware of all the magic around them

But, it’s not just about love. It’s about work, it’s about purpose, It’s about political climate, it’s about life. There is a common thread of deep insecurities and anxiety leaving people feeling that this moment, right now, is as good as it’s going to get and it’s far from good. Along with this perception, is also a feeling of being trapped and a deep resonating hopelessness. Life can seem harder, scarier, and a happy and peaceful life may seem fleeting to some.

You listen to the news and it is not difficult to feel despair and a sense of hopelessness. It is a mess. An ugly mess –with sporadic moments of goodness. It often feels as if the bad outweighs the good.

When it comes to the future, we are all filled with some anxiety about some aspect of it. We are, as humans, so unsure of any outcome. Life can feel very out of control. This overwhelming feeling of lack of control causes insecurity and hopelessness. Our state of affairs, nationally, is enough to cause fear and anxiety. So much deprecation, so much hatred, so much division. As a nation, in deeply ugly times.

But, here is the thing, without Hope, what do we have……..nothing. We have chaos with little resolution. We have fear with no walls for protection. We have problems that may never be solved. We have prayers or wishes that will never be answered.

Studies show that people who have some foundation of faith, tend to be more hopeful and have less stress over an uncontrollable future. People who have Hope, tend to sleep better, have a sense of calm about them, and tend to be more positive. Overall, they have an internal understanding of things that can not be seen or touched, but rather felt. It’s not that they are living in a fantasy, it’s more that they can step outside of fear, ugliness, despair and sorrow and keep the light inside themselves burning. Faith is not tangible, it is a spirit and soulfulness that lives deep within us. Faith can be within reach to help us bring calm to our souls if we can trust in something that can’t make promises and cannot be seen.

Faith leads to Hope which leads to Peace. A Peace within us that transcends understanding but can be felt at the core of our being. It will quietly accompany us during questionable times, like a reliable old friend. It will soothe us and in return, we will share that light with others. This light in you, will shed light for others to walk in and this is how we might spread light in a dark world.

With Love, Light and JOY ~

Maria