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“Hope,” Beethoven cried, “you forge the heart into steel.” Hope is confidence. Hope is determination. Hope is courage. And faith is the ultimate expression of hope. Belief fortifies the heart.
No matter what kind of difficult situation one may find oneself in, some opening, some opportunity to fight one’s way out, can always be found. What’s most important is to hold fast to hope, to face the future with courage.
Resolve to be the “sun.” Then no matter what problems you may face, the dawn will always break, fine weather will always return, and spring will never fail to come.
Even in the face of the severe crisis confronting humanity today, I cannot side with the advocates of apocalypse. Rather than the spurs and promptings of fear, we can best negotiate the challenges we face when guided by a vision of hope.
When we limit ourselves with low expectations, the growth of the tree of happiness ceases. The power of growth, of improvement, the power to overcome all stagnation and break through every obstacle and transform a barren wasteland into a verdant field—that unstoppable power of hope resides right within your own heart. More
Hope transforms pessimism into optimism. Hope is invincible. Hope changes everything. It changes winter into summer, darkness into dawn, descent into ascent, barrenness into creativity, agony into joy. Hope is the sun. It is light. It is passion. It is the fundamental force for life’s blossoming.
Material wealth does not necessarily make for happiness. Nor does fame. Hope is life’s greatest treasure. A life without hope is bleak and gray. If you have no hope, create some.

Stories of Hope

Refusing to Hate

Jose Abueva

Jose Abueva’s family was brutally murdered by Japanese soldiers. Yet the Filipino educator’s story is not one of hatred, but of forgiveness and hope for a harmonious future.                           NEW

Stories of Hope

The Spirit of Reverence for Life

Wangari Maathai

Wangari Maathai will be forever remembered for empowering women and protecting our planet. She also promoted the Japanese “mottainai” spirit—treasuring life and wasting nothing.