If you can look at the sunset 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 your 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 supper,
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 cannot 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!

~~ Author Unknown ~~

1. Hope "lights a candle" instead of "cursing the darkness."

2. Hope opens doors where despair closes them.

3. Hope looks for the good in people instead of harping on the worst in them.

4. Hope discovers what can be done instead of grumbling about what cannot be done.

5. Hope draws its power from a deep trust in God and the basic goodness of mankind.

6. Hope regards problems, small or large, as opportunities.

7. Hope cherishes no illusions, nor does it yield to cynicism.

~~ Author Unknown ~~

Hope is not the closing of your eyes
to the difficulty, the risk,
or the failure.

It is trust that-
If I fail now -
I shall not fail forever;

and if I am hurt,
I shall be healed .

It is trust that
Life is good.

love is powerful,
and the future is full of promise.

~~ Author Unknown ~~