Here we go. Another year! They seem to pass more quickly these days, even in the midst of a worldwide pandemic and economic turmoil. Some days the future doesn’t seem so bright anymore. It’s easy to feel depressed, especially in the middle of winter when it gets dark at 4:00 PM. So, in the midst of the darkness, how can we remain optimistic? Is there hope for the future?
I certainly think that people of faith have hope for the future, and I think that’s a wonderful thing. Most people want to belong to something, or believe in something, that is greater and bigger than themselves. The belief that there is a greater purpose gives us hope that maybe all of the suffering and pain will be worth it.
Having hope is a good thing because it is a motivator and an encouragement. It’s the idea that things will be ok, and that good can result from bad situations. We know that things will never be perfect, life doesn’t always turn out as we hoped or expected, but maybe there is more good ahead, just around the next corner. As the New Year begins, maybe our best resolution is to maintain hope in the face of fear. Shall we remain steadfast, strong, and act with courage.
It could be easy to convince ourselves that these times in which we live are the worst times in history. But I would imagine that anyone who’s a little older has lived through times worse than this. If you consider the history of the past 160 years, you will recall that those who came before us endured a great deal, such as a Civil War, WWI, WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918, the Great Depression, slavery, discrimination, the fight for civil rights, the Great Inflation of the 1970’s, gas rationing, and the Cold War with threats of nuclear annihilation. And that’s just a short list. Every generation has lived through their fair share of difficulty, fear, and calamity. Why should we be so different?
As I ponder these thoughts, I’m struck by the idea that life is often about having the right perspective. Perspective is about choice. We can either decide that all hope is lost and give up, or we can move ahead with strength and determination, understanding that this is our time to persevere. We don’t know what the future holds, and we only have this day, so let’s make the most of it. If you’re worried about tomorrow, just remember, we only have today. Take heart my friends, be strong, and remember to choose your perspective. I sincerely wish you all a Happy and Hopeful New Year!
Thought provoking. Nice!