The Power of Hope.

It is customary to reflect what all has happened in our personal lives, individually and to our family members during the year- 2007- that is just coming to an end. This reflection stirs up many of our emotions, some of which have a cascading effect in our outlook and attitude. Yet, it has been a proven maxim that to sail in life smoothly and happily “One needs to develop a positive attitude”. We all indulge in this exercise every year around this time and some of us resolve to do better in the next year. Thus, we begin afresh our life of HOPE.

The problems in life are transitory in nature, for they keep coming at you as per your perception and mind set. Problems that weigh you down are best tackled with a positive frame of mind and left aside without pondering too much on them. Those events which have brought joy and happiness may be allowed to linger on for a while, before they get lodged into a corner of your memory.

I am in the habit of maintaining a personal diary for years, which habit I imbibed from my father. I keep rummaging through those diaries occasionally if not often. They certainly invigorate me most of the time, though some of the events I recorded sadden me, but do not depress me. In hind sight, sometimes I feel they should not have been put in print. But, then that would reflect only a part of me.

I recorded my medical history very briefly. Reading this along side my diaries surprised me how a state of feeling- “HOPE” keeps you going ahead, and how powerful it is.

We all hope for the best in all our endeavours, and wish the same to all those who come into our life. We do say that hope is life and life is hope.

As we grow old, we better be aware that we take a reverse path of growth- in mind and in body. The path becomes more painful if you are carrying an illness, and most of us would carry.

Yet, if you develop a hopeful feeling that would be excellent which would prove to be the king of all medicines. I bet on this. This is the Power of Hope.

How do you develop this?

Study the problem, analyse it threadbare, and get aware of it. Consider this as a problem thrown into your lap by nature, through one of those mysterious ways of god. The first step to tackle the problem is not to think too much about it, but kindle your hope steadily, and strengthen it. Put your mind into those activities which takes you away from the depressive moods, and slowly cultivate them as a regular habit. Your HOPE gets built slowly, becomes your partner in progress, and turns into a powerful force.

This way you lay a hopeful path.

I Wish each and everyone- Known OR Unknown to me- a Happy and hopeful year of 2008.

A wishful list of Hopefuls:

I hope:

1. The Schengen zone example is followed in countries across the world, where there is a possibility. In the years to come, the zone would have 24 countries that include many from Eastern Europe. A scenario unthinkable a decade ago.
2. Belgium Does not break. Flanders and the Walloons patch up their simple differences.
3. The Kosovo issue is resolved.
4. The Americans elect a Leader sensibly, and not carried away by rhetoric’s.
5. Whoever becomes the US President, resolves domestic issues, and evolves a new foreign policy.
6. The countries in the Middle-East Region think in terms of economic prosperity for their people instead of indulging in sectarian violence.
7. Pakistan elects a leader, who has a vision to put the country on a path to progress.
8. The terrorists all over the world lose their physical and mental senses, and die a mysterious death.
9. The leaders in India develop character worthy of emulation.
10. The Asian continent grows spiritually, and sets a trend for tolerance and peace.
11. I get back to my feet from my wheel Chair, if the above happens.
12. And finally, with the blessings and grace of god, the power of hope works.

Tailpiece: In me Senator Barack Obama has an admirer, outside of USA. If he believes in ‘The Audacity of Hope’, I believe in ‘The Power of Hope’. Why not you too?