"The capacity for hope is the most significant fact of life. It provides human beings with a sense of destination and the energy to get started."
-- Norman Cousins
I was out on a nice long ride yesterday. One of the things I enjoy most about biking is the time it gives me to think freely and widely about whatever my random synapses cook up. Somewhere in that free-associating twisty corn maze of bike reverie, the word "hope" got stuck in my head -- how and why we use this word, and what it means. I wanted to write it down here before I forgot...When I think of all the times I've read, heard and used the word hope as a noun, it feels powerful and resonates with me deeply. When I think of the same word used as a verb, it feels a little... I don't know.. inadequate.
For example:
"Hope" as a noun:
- When you give hope --well then, that's a wonderful thing.
- When you have hope -- now that can be a powerful thing.
"Hope" as a verb:
- When you hope... well OK. Then what?
And then it hit me: that is what's kept me doing this whole PMC thing for the last 13 years. I feel a damn sight better (? empowered ?) by doing something more than just hoping. So for me, the act of hoping is vital ingredient -- but it ain't the whole enchilada.
- Cycling to raise money for cancer research and treatment gives me great hope that we will find a cure for cancer -- and soon.
- When I see actually see thousands of others working and biking with me on the PMC, it magnifies that hope.
- When I meet the people whose lives are being extended and saved by new and improved cancer treatments, my hope grows even more.
But it's only through our actions that we grow and spread that hope (noun), not by hoping (verb) alone.
Anyway, that's what was on my mind yesterday morning. ;-)
/doug
