Seeing with Clarity: Recognizing Hope
Last week I finished reading the Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. His writing style keeps me on edge as he has one mysterious occurrence blending into the next, one clue opening a door leading to a twist in the road that ends with a wall to be scaled. In The Lost Symbol, the topic interested me because it deals with metaphysical questions involving wisdom. Injected into a labyrinth of secrets, codes and hidden truths was a villain who wanted power that he believed came from a single word—one that would give life meaning. At the risk of spoiling the ending, I was surprised that the final revelation was simply the word “hope.”
Words are symbols that can carry deep meaning. And though it has been weeks since completing the book, I have been unable to get this symbol out of my mind. Composed of four ordinary letters, hope elicits more power than I had originally thought possible.
Hope. President Obama wrote a book called, The Audacity of Hope, which contributed to his election. President Trump’s campaign also gave hope, especially to white middle class men who had been feeling left out. Bernie Sander’s did the same for young adults by energizing them to believe that a world based on equality and fairness is possible.
All people want to believe that their lives matter and that their concerns will be taken seriously. Everyone wants to trust that there is a purpose to their existence and that dreams hold promise. But hope only flourishes when we finally accept ourselves and acknowledge that we are enough as we are, even without having billions of dollars. Each is a soul in transition, capable of growth and change so that we can reinvent ourselves over and over again. Just as hope embraces acceptance, it also envelops forgiveness and offers love, for these elements allow for a new start.
During tough times it is difficult to embrace adversity and engage in fighting it. But it is your choice. It is your struggle and your decision to move forward. Believing in yourself as a survivor can help surmount terrible obstacles just as the embracing hope of thousands of people who are willing to fight for democratic values will help our country survive with dignity.
But, there are times when people need our assistance so that they can see a ray of sunshine. Their stumbling blocks may be so severe that hope does not enter their consciousness. For instance, a single mother, living in poverty, raising her children in a drug inflicted neighborhood faces barriers that seemingly have no end. A mentally ill man, experiencing difficulty in getting and keeping a job, may wonder how he will ever house and feed himself. A prisoner sentenced in his youth for years without parole, faces slowly moving minutes without hope for better way forward. An honor role student who watches her mother deported because she immigrated illegally so her children could have a better life may lose hope for her own future. And, it is easy to understand why the 32 million illiterates living within our borders who have little chance for full time employment at a livable wage may despair of hope.
But these people do not have to stay among the hopeless. They too can join the march towards economic security and fulfillment though we may have to give them a boost and help them dig their way out of quicksand that has trapped their feet. If we let them stand on our shoulders they will be able to look over the fence of poverty and entrapment. But, to maintain their hope, what they see must be a land devoid of unbridled capitalism that ignores the welfare of many for the benefit of a few. The sun must shine through air that is healthy to breathe and it must sparkle on streams and green pastures that are maintained for future generations. The fields must be leveled so men and women of all races and religions are treated equitably and without fear of being bullied. The school bell must ring out messages that call all to understand the history of our past and the science and technology of our future so that citizens will want to participate in bettering society.
Once the multitude can see a light shining on tidings that sparkle with promise, then their dreams will compound to add strength to the nation. Hope for a better future is what always brought people to our shores and it is by restoring hope that we will make America great again.
Please comment below on my blogsite.
Artwork is always for sale: Contact me at marilynne@eihingerfineart.com. Seeing with Clarity is acrylic on canvas/ 48″ by 36″/ $ $699.
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Seeing with Clarity: Recognizing Hope
Last week I finished reading the Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. His writing style keeps me on edge as he has one mysterious occurrence blending into the next, one clue opening a door leading to a twist in the road that ends with a wall to be scaled. In The Lost Symbol, the topic interested me because it deals with metaphysical questions involving wisdom. Injected into a labyrinth of secrets, codes and hidden truths was a villain who wanted power that he believed came from a single word—one that would give life meaning. At the risk of spoiling the ending, I was surprised that the final revelation was simply the word “hope.”
Words are symbols that can carry deep meaning. And though it has been weeks since completing the book, I have been unable to get this symbol out of my mind. Composed of four ordinary letters, hope elicits more power than I had originally thought possible.
Hope. President Obama wrote a book called, The Audacity of Hope, which contributed to his election. President Trump’s campaign also gave hope, especially to white middle class men who had been feeling left out. Bernie Sander’s did the same for young adults by energizing them to believe that a world based on equality and fairness is possible.
All people want to believe that their lives matter and that their concerns will be taken seriously. Everyone wants to trust that there is a purpose to their existence and that dreams hold promise. But hope only flourishes when we finally accept ourselves and acknowledge that we are enough as we are, even without having billions of dollars. Each is a soul in transition, capable of growth and change so that we can reinvent ourselves over and over again. Just as hope embraces acceptance, it also envelops forgiveness and offers love, for these elements allow for a new start.
During tough times it is difficult to embrace adversity and engage in fighting it. But it is your choice. It is your struggle and your decision to move forward. Believing in yourself as a survivor can help surmount terrible obstacles just as the embracing hope of thousands of people who are willing to fight for democratic values will help our country survive with dignity.
But, there are times when people need our assistance so that they can see a ray of sunshine. Their stumbling blocks may be so severe that hope does not enter their consciousness. For instance, a single mother, living in poverty, raising her children in a drug inflicted neighborhood faces barriers that seemingly have no end. A mentally ill man, experiencing difficulty in getting and keeping a job, may wonder how he will ever house and feed himself. A prisoner sentenced in his youth for years without parole, faces slowly moving minutes without hope for better way forward. An honor role student who watches her mother deported because she immigrated illegally so her children could have a better life may lose hope for her own future. And, it is easy to understand why the 32 million illiterates living within our borders who have little chance for full time employment at a livable wage may despair of hope.
But these people do not have to stay among the hopeless. They too can join the march towards economic security and fulfillment though we may have to give them a boost and help them dig their way out of quicksand that has trapped their feet. If we let them stand on our shoulders they will be able to look over the fence of poverty and entrapment. But, to maintain their hope, what they see must be a land devoid of unbridled capitalism that ignores the welfare of many for the benefit of a few. The sun must shine through air that is healthy to breathe and it must sparkle on streams and green pastures that are maintained for future generations. The fields must be leveled so men and women of all races and religions are treated equitably and without fear of being bullied. The school bell must ring out messages that call all to understand the history of our past and the science and technology of our future so that citizens will want to participate in bettering society.
Once the multitude can see a light shining on tidings that sparkle with promise, then their dreams will compound to add strength to the nation. Hope for a better future is what always brought people to our shores and it is by restoring hope that we will make America great again.
Please comment below on my blogsite.
Artwork is always for sale: Contact me at marilynne@eihingerfineart.com. Seeing with Clarity is acrylic on canvas/ 48″ by 36″/ $ $699.
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