What is Hope?

Hope. Just as a single spark can create fire, a single spark of hope can create a better life. Even when all seems hopeless, hope still exists, just as surely as the sun still shines on a cloudy day. Hope lives in the absence of external evidence because it is the product of one's most innate nature. Hope illuminates the better path to take.

Here are just a few of my observations about finding that spark of hope even when all seems lost:

• Become willing to “act as if” there is a way out of a current problem, even in the face of no external evidence. Don't be afraid to “fake it till you make it.” Any action will get the ball rolling.
• Understand that you don't know everything about any situation you find yourself in. Even though your feelings are real, they might not be true.
• You can only change yourself. Stop trying to change others, it just doesn't work.
• Take Maya Angelou's advice and "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."
• Remember, you don't have to do this all alone.