Everything I know about hope, I learned from individuals living in a homeless shelter.
I have seen countless individuals lose all hope. They accept that they will be homeless for their entire lives.
There is a predictable pattern:
- First, they lose faith in others. They accept that the world is a hostile place and that they are the only one that can look out for their own interests.
- Next, they lose faith in themselves. They accept that they have no ability to change a cold harsh world.
- Finally, cynicism becomes a form of “wisdom.” In the face of insurmountable odds, hope seems irrational and naïve.
I have also seen countless individuals discover hope again. They find the courage to see a different future for themselves and their families. Here, too, there is a pattern:
- It starts in the dark. It begins deep in the human soul for no apparent reason other than the miracle that is the human spirit. Against all odds, a coal from a long-dead fire begins to glow and give off heat.
- At first it looks foolish. When an alcoholic with slurred speech declares that he will get sober, it can sound absurd. When hope is in its infancy, people mock it.
- As it grows, hope comes under attack by cynics with an agenda. Friends, family or strangers try to undermine recovery for their own selfish ends. Misery loves company.
- Finally, hope wins. In retrospect, what had looked inconceivable appears inevitable.
My friends, I don’t offer my observations on hope as mere intellectual curiosity. Our country—our world—is losing hope.
We have lost faith in others. We have accepted that our country is a hostile divided place, and we must each look out for our own interests.
We have lost faith in ourselves. We have resigned ourselves to the fact that we are unable to effect change.
We have mistaken cynicism for wisdom. Internet pundits compete to sell the bleakest vision of our future.
Fortunately, we have experts in our midst.
Perhaps we can all learn how to hope from our homeless neighbors.
Just maybe, the most vulnerable can show the way forward.
Our country’s healing will begin in darkness. When our collective spirit can no longer tolerate division and fear we will begin to change.
At first, it will look foolish. Even writing this, it feels silly to even think about a country without deep partisan divide.
Before hope wins, cynics will attack it. We must learn to ignore pundits and politicians who profit from our fear of one another.
Hope will win; it seems inconceivable now, but it always does…
My friends, we find greatness together, or not at all.
Peace,
Ryan