It is no longer optional and should not be administered sparingly. It is not an elective but an essential course of study. It cannot be held in reserve or banked away for a rainy day. It needs open space to flourish, to spread and infect others with wild dreams and endless possibilities.HOPE is now officially an obligation for us all. We must brazenly and foolishly flaunt it like a blinding neon sign that is ubiquitous and unwavering. Broadcasting on every frequency it is a strong signal that cannot be drowned out by even the fiercest of elements.
It is a responsibility bestowed upon us all with the greatest of urgency. We must tenaciously cling to this irrational belief that compels us to envision a better world, yielding it like a broken sword when the odds are 1,000,000 to 1 against us.
Whether it is for a battered earth, politics divorced from humanity, or for the endless suffering that surround us, it is time to brazenly and ruthlessly employ it, going for the jugular of those voices that say "why bother" or "there is no point".
We do this for our children, family, neighbours and friends. We do this because we know there are moments of sublime beauty, of fleeting peace and rapturous laughter that continue to find expression in those dark places where they shouldn't possibly exist.
We do this because we breath.
9 comments:
This is really beautiful. Without hope on the macro and micro levels, I feel like I have nothing. It's what keeps me going, gets me out of bed, makes me think that my children will have a future worth sticking around for.
This is a lovely post and a great picture. I'm glad you commented. I've see you around and now I'm glad I followed your link back to your blog.
"it is time to brazenly and ruthlessly employ it, going for the jugular of those voices that say "why bother" or 'there is no point'."
my intention is to post another writer every monday on my blog...i love this piece. would you be willing to share it? maybe where that hope comes from for you?
Wise sentiments, beautifully wrought. Really, without hope, we are nothing. It is the driving force behind everything.
dcup - thanks, I am glad you found some meaning from it - strangely enough I started writing it shortly after reading your post - I like these webs of connection that occur!
jmgb - I would be honoured to be featured on your fine blog and share my writing or elaborate further if need be - feel free to send me an e-mail if you have any questions.
Hi Barb -I agree, we are deflated shadows of ourselves when we are without hope. It is a powerful engine
Very true.
There was a time whereupon pessimism and cynicism may have served a purpose as an effective counter-weight to a kind of unrealistic optimism. Now that this response has become our default setting, it's time to dare to trust and believe again.
You like some good music, and you listed a few good books in your profile.
I live in Port Angeles, Wa. Not that far from you, drop in for a beer some day and we can bitch about the state of the world.
bravo!
your post is making a guest appearance on my blog this week...thanks again for sharing it!
Hi Kevin - I agree whole heartedly - the detached cynicism and irony will no longer cut it anymore, especially here in the West - we are starting to see the impacts of this and need to spring to life
bbc - thanks for dropping by! I would be happy to one day share a fine brew with you and ruminate on life, the universe and everything.
Jeff - thanks for your minimalist, yet equally poignant commentary!
jmgb - once again, the honour is mine!
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