I was struck by that line from the movie “The Shawshank Redemption.” The main character states he has not lost hope that one day he will be released from the prison. Then, another prisoner who has been there for ages replies: “Hope is a dangerous thing!” His reply is another way of saying: All who enter here abandon hope…
But how do you maintain hope…?
The constant drumbeat of bad news from all sources makes it difficult for anyone to be hopeful of late and I can understand why. We are creatures of habit and once on a particular course are not prone to changing it. We are not certain where things are going right now and with that comes a degree of anxiety that tends to make us less optimistic.
However I would counter that the very dire nature of the current situation is cause for being hopeful. We are now forced to consider things we never would have considered before and place our “hope” around making them work. Things not previously on our radar have now come into view.
Two roads in the woods…
I ask you to see it as traveling down a road. It is not a good or bad road but simply a path you have decided to follow. You may or may not have thought about making a change but the path is laid out and it is simpler to just keep traveling. Suddenly, a huge tree falls in your path and it is no longer possible to continue on the current course.
You are now forced to travel to the left or to the right, and going backwards is not an option because we have traveled too far. We must now select a new direction. This new road is unfamiliar but who knows you might encounter sights and sounds that will give new meaning to your life. Sometimes it is difficult to travel this new path. No one enjoys being lost, but remember how good you felt when you finally found your way? If need be, take a moment and shed a few tears for the path that was lost because after all it was familiar. But recognize the fact you need to eat, sleep, and drink and none of that is available at this crossroad.
What is the greater danger ?
Much like that prisoner who replied to the hero in the movie, some of us see traveling on a new path as difficult and dangerous because it means we have to face our fears. Meaning, no matter how bad the current situation, it is better to abandon hope and sit there beside the road. The reason I always liked that movie is that the hero is not without fear, in fact he is full of it, but he holds fast to the desire (or hope if you will) to once again roam free. He knows there will be a terrible price to pay if he is caught trying to escape but he also realizes there is a greater peril if he gives up.
I know there were days when he did not think he could go on but he kept going in spite of it. He found a way and we must do the same. Accept that there are struggles ahead but also prepare to rejoice when the road is once again clear…
As always Cherrie you provided words of, well hope. It is a scary time but we do have to face our fears no matter how hard.
Yes, and Alex provided a great prop for the pictures. For those of you who regularly read the gallery blog it is a chance to see my partner in crime. He was shocked when he saw the pictures. These were taken last summer in Georgia at a little lake called Gulligan’s Island.
Cherrie
This is a great post, Cherrie ! I felt rather depressed this morning and, yes, Jayne is right : “you provided words of hope” and this indeed lightened up my day ! You have a way of making Hope sound so concrete and realistic ! It’s like a parable ! Besides, I’m happy to meet Alex, even if only in picture. Makes me think you, too, took the road less traveled by…Have a great day.
JLBO I see you like Frost as well (smile)
Cherrie