The Past
Hope is the first blessing to focus on with my return to Blog Your Blessings. Hope indeed is something that have kept me going throughout the years – in good times, & in bad times. Approximately 1 year back was a low period for me as those close to me or familiar with the old blog would know. I had basically lost my life savings (savings, trust funds, the whole shebang) at this mid20 age junction, due to a bad business decision which I then left for ethical reasons. And on a different yet hope-related note, would be the decision on where to move towards career-wise.

Why Hope?
In both cases above, hope was one of the primary factors which kept me going. In the former, hope was the knowledge that the financial setback would only be temporary. That I would be able to get my footing back, clawing back up despite the act of picking one’s self up being painful indeed. While the latter would be that career-wise, I am where I am because of hope & believe. That my career choice puts me in a position to make a difference. That despite sacrifices salary-wise, the returns are many-fold in job satisfaction. That and knowing that I am making a positive change in the lives of others.

Others
Speaking of others, it is apt to pass my blessings to a few friends. To a friend who is joining the ranks of the gainfully employed: “That you may be filled with hope, learning & experience in your career”. To a friend who is changing jobs: “That you may find the hope you have been been looking for & find your life’s calling”. To a friend recovering from yet another devastating break-up: “That you never give up hope for despite the cliché, it really is the darkest hour before the sunlight”.

Globally
Moving on to a larger view, we need to have hope in our country, our people & our world. We have to hope that despite “fire-fighting” responses only after accidents or incidents occur, perceived lack of common sense & long term planning – that there is hope. That there are people there who will & have given their heart & soul to strive for improvement. People who care to make a difference. To have continued hope that wars & conflict will give way to reason & discussion. That common ideals & the strong majority will be the voice of reason & hope piercing through the misled, misunderstood & trodden. Hope.

A Word of Warning
Of course it would not be fair to leave the topic of hope without a few words of advice. There IS a thing as false hope or to be blunt… lies. There is no point & no reason ever, to give false hope – to save a few tears this minute, but to cause an even more devastating maelstrom later. Hope has to be within reason & sometimes… just sometimes we need to know when to stand our ground or even retreat. Hope does not equate miracles. And let us leave miracles to the saints shall we.

Question
Why do you think we need hope in our lives?