If you can look at the sun and smile,
then you still have hope.

If you can find beauty in the colors of
a small flower, then you still have hope.

If you can find pleasure in the movement
of a butterfly, then you still have hope.

If the smile of a child can still warm your heart,
then you still have hope.

If you can see the good in other people,
then you still have hope.

If the rain breaking on a roof top can still
lull you to sleep, then you still have hope.

If the sight of a rainbow still makes you stop and 
stare in wonder, then you still have hope.

If the soft fur of a favored pet still feels pleasant
under your fingertips, then you still have hope.

If you meet new people with a trace of excitement 
and optimism, then you still have hope.

If you give people the benefit of a doubt,
then you still have hope.

If you still offer your hand in friendship to others 
that have touched your life, then you still have hope.

If receiving an unexpected card or letter still brings 
a pleasant surprise, then you still have hope.

If the suffering of others still fills you with
pain and frustration, then you still have hope.

If you refuse to let a friendship die, or accept 
that it must end, then you still have hope.

If you look forward to a time or place of
quiet and reflection, then you still have hope.

If you still buy the ornaments, put up the 
Christmas tree or cook the turkey, then you still have hope.

If you still watch love stories or want the 
endings to be happy, then you still have hope.

If you can look to the past and smile,
then you still have hope.

If, when faced with the bad, when told everything is futile, 
you can still look up and end the conversation with the 
phrase... "yeah....BUT.." then you still have hope.

Hope is such a marvelous thing.  It bends, it twists, it 
sometimes hides, but rarely does it break.  It sustains us 
when nothing else can.  It gives us reason to continue and 
courage to move ahead, when we tell ourselves we'd rather give in.

Hope puts a smile on our face when the heart cannot manage.  
Hope puts our feet on the path when our eyes can not see it.  
Hope moves us to act when our souls are confused of the direction.

Hope is a wonderful thing, something to be cherished and 
nurtured, and something that will refresh us in return.  And it 
can be found in each of us, and it can bring light into the 
darkest of places.


Never Lose Hope