John, your exploration of hope as a double-edged sword really resonated with me. It's so true that hope can be a lifeline in dark times, but it can also become a crutch or a source of delusion if not tempered with realism.
Your example of the lottery tickets at the rest stop is a perfect illustration of how hope, when misplaced or overblown, can actually prolong suffering. But then you beautifully pivot to the idea of "hard hope" – the kind that requires action, resilience, and facing the possibility of failure head-on. This is the hope that fuels real change, both in our personal lives and in the world around us. It's not about wishful thinking, but about rolling up our sleeves and doing the work, even when the outcome is uncertain. Thank you for sharing such a great article.
I'm one who has often said, "hope is a beggar," but I like your article.
I'm from Cambridge, and I've spent some portion of my life caught in traffic on the Pike, too.
Pleasure to meet you, Rev. Evelyn. (I'm perfectly fine going by "John." Please let me know what you are most comfortable with.)
Glad that you're on this interesting, curious, sometimes frustrating platform. And I'm looking forward to reading your work. Starting today!
Thanks, John! The frustration seems to dissipate the more you get to know it.
John, your exploration of hope as a double-edged sword really resonated with me. It's so true that hope can be a lifeline in dark times, but it can also become a crutch or a source of delusion if not tempered with realism.
Your example of the lottery tickets at the rest stop is a perfect illustration of how hope, when misplaced or overblown, can actually prolong suffering. But then you beautifully pivot to the idea of "hard hope" – the kind that requires action, resilience, and facing the possibility of failure head-on. This is the hope that fuels real change, both in our personal lives and in the world around us. It's not about wishful thinking, but about rolling up our sleeves and doing the work, even when the outcome is uncertain. Thank you for sharing such a great article.