Sunday Sunshine: Hang onto Hope

It's easy to become disillusioned. Our society seems to be trending more and more toward the uncivil, the thoughtless and the rude. It's natural to ask just what's happening to humanity. Why aren't we nice to each other anymore?

Rather than lose faith in the human spirit, however, hang onto hope. And do something about it. Be the one who extends a hand, who offers a shoulder, who gives a kind word. 

If we want to change the world, that change has to begin with us, even--and especially--when things seem difficult. 

In our every encounter, we can choose to be civil, thoughtful and respectful. We can choose to be loving. We can choose to be kind. Start the trend today.

Today, this week: Hang onto hope. Have faith in the human spirit. Be kind.

HPEFUL

While parking my car the other day, I saw that a car near mine bore a license plate that read, "HPEFUL."   That same evening, my friend Mary Ellen posted on Facebook that she enjoys seeing "a cow named Hope on Highway 12 on the way to Madison."  These days when so much of the news seems to be grim and depressing and all but hope-filled, I think we benefit from giving ourselves as many good doses of hope as possible.  If we need to be reminded by artwork along the highway or a license plate on a neighboring car, that's quite alright with me.  I may lose other things along the way in my life, but I would hope that I'll always hang onto hope.