“Hope springs eternal ...”; Alexander Pope wrote that, and often we just have to wonder if he knew what the hell he was talking about. Of course he wrote that in the 18th century and the full quote is; “Hope springs eternal in the human breast: Man never is, but always To be Blest.”

So, where was Pope coming from? In the 18th century, there was a lot in which to be hopeful. Despite the renaissance of art and sciences disease, plague, tyranny and more made hope a bright light against a dark horizon. We, however, are in the 21st century; and we have eradicated the planet of certain diseases, never to suffer from them again. Science and technology have given us the answers to everything it seems. Today mankind has reached for the stars and touched them; literally. Hope seems not to be needed anymore.

I think we should hold onto what Pope had so say however. Hope is not something that can be washed away by our technological advances. Hope is mankind’s striving for a better tomorrow. The same is true on a personal level. A child without hope cannot strive for a better tomorrow. If that same child is living in a bad today, and cannot strive for a better tomorrow, where will that child go? It's not difficult to see the answer to that question; visit any juvenile hall facility. In case you were wondering, it doesn’t have to be a child either - we all need hope.

If you are feeling hopeless, there is no worse feeling. It’s important that you seek help. Talk to a loved one, a priest, a friend, a professional. Rediscover what tomorrow means and more important the good that it can bring.

Hope does spring eternal, and we are, each one of us, blest.

Love and Bright blessings ~ Richard