Nearly 25 years ago, I wrote a poem/song lyrics called Hope is a Place. Back then, my days were filled with the joyful chaos of raising a family—work, school runs, endless to-do lists.
Life was busy, but beneath it all, I remember feeling this steady heartbeat of hope. I wrote that poem as a quiet reminder to myself: to keep giving, to keep believing, and to stay open to both the good and the hard parts of life.
Hope, in that season, was my way of giving back—to my children, my community, and to the woman I was becoming.
Does Hope Change With Age?
At 65, I realize that time hasn't changed the essence of hope —it has simply deepened.
Back then, I saw hope as a light that helped me face each day with purpose. Today, I see it as a gift we give ourselves in the moment we’re living.
Hope doesn’t just look forward—it wraps the present in gentleness, like a beautifully tied bow around the life we already have. It helps us stay here, now, while still allowing room for what might be waiting just beyond our view.
Is Hope About Getting What We Want?
Some people say that hope only leads to disappointment—that to hope is to risk being let down. I understand that view, because I’ve felt it too.
But I don’t believe hope’s purpose is to deliver a specific outcome. Hope, to me, isn’t a wish list or a guarantee—it’s the quiet belief that possibilities exist, even when we can’t see them yet.
When something we’ve hoped for doesn’t happen, it doesn’t mean hope has failed us. Sometimes it’s simply leading us somewhere new—to a fresh start, a different direction, or a door we didn’t even know was waiting.
What Does Hope Really Give Us?
Hope gives me energy.
It’s a current that runs through me and out into the world, hopefully touching others without my even realizing it.
I like to believe that when we hold onto hope, we emit something good—something bright. It doesn’t mean we’re always cheerful or unshaken; it just means that somewhere inside, we’re open. We’re willing to believe that light still exists, even when the day feels dark.
Hope, in that way, becomes both a gift to ourselves and to others—a reminder that unseen things can be the most powerful.
Hope and Love Coexist as Life’s Anchors
If love is the force that connects us, hope is the force that steadies us.
It’s the quiet anchor that keeps us grounded in the present while still allowing us to drift toward tomorrow.
Hope doesn’t erase the hard moments, but it helps us move through them. And when life feels joyful, it reminds us to savor those moments too—to recognize that hope isn’t only for when we’re lost. It’s also for when we’ve found something worth holding.
What Is Your Word? Mine is Hope.
There’s a belief that everyone should have a word—a word that somehow captures who they are at their core, or what they stand for.
A dear friend and I once talked about this, and ever since, my word has been hope. That same friend gave me a necklace engraved with the word, and I wear it every day as a gentle reminder.
Along with love, hope is the anchor that keeps me present, connected, and moving forward. It’s invisible, yet tangible. Elusive, yet powerful. And to me, hope truly is a place.
This article was inspired by my poem “Hope is a Place,” written nearly 25 years ago and included in my poetry book, where available, on Amazon.
Hope is definitely your word, Barbara. It seems to resonate with you. Lovely poem, by the way.
ReplyDeleteThinking about your question, 'what is your word', there are several which come to mind, but I would have to say my main one would be 'Gratitude'.
Thanks for a lovely 'From the Heart' message to brighten up my day.
Barbara dear, this is so very beautiful and uplifting. Thank you for always shining your light so brightly, dear friend.
ReplyDeleteBarbara dear, this is so very beautiful and uplifting. Thank you for always shining your light so brightly, dear friend.
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