A Slice of Hope
I had my morning coffee with a side of TikTok and while I scrolled through the myriad—some totally random, others better tailored to my taste—of videos on all kinds of themes from politics to the unavoidable ads for products you didn’t know you needed, I came across one by YA author, John Green.
His words hit me particularly hard today because it spoke to me in so many ways. In the video, he spoke of hope being the answer to every human problem and the one thing that gets him out of bed even on days when desperation reigns in his life and in his heart. That when the feeling of helplessness overwhelms him as he thinks of the horrible things that people do to each other, hope comes knocking reminding him that his brain might be telling him that, but that in truth there is just as much or more good out there.
A picture on Facebook this morning brought me back to his words and how humans have as much goodness inside them as evil and that if we choose to focus on hope rather than despair, life can be well worth living.
As a teacher, children always bring me a sense of hope. As much as young children can suck the life out of you, they also fuel your being with hope, with joy. I’ve lived on a diet of hugs and giggles, often better than any antidepressant or therapy session. I might be full of despair when I wake up, not wanting to face the dumpster fire that is the world right now, but then the school doors open and those mini-humans run in with their funny hats and goofy smiles and for the next 7 hours I am happy and full of hope. Now that I am retired, I’ll have to get my “therapy” only once in a while when I sub for another teacher or visit the building. I miss the hugs (not so much the noise, lol).
What brings you hope? A pretty flower in the garden? A gorgeous bluejay on your deck? The acrobatics of a squirrel bent on eating the bird food?
Whatever it is, I’d love to hear it. Let’s share some of the beauty in the world to tamper down all the fear and suffering that seems to have taken root in the world right now.
Squirrel Acrobatics Picture by Natalina Reis 2025
