Hope springs within!

Life is an amazing journey, but sometimes it’s too darn impossible to acknowledge this truth because of all the sticky situations that happen in our lives. It is hope which keeps us going then!

It has happened to all of us – just when we finally think things are going great, something terrible happens. And, if things were already bad, all of a sudden, they’ve taken a turn for the worse. One is plagued with doubts – When does it end? Why me? Why can’t my life just be normal like everybody else? How come it seems like some people have no problems at all, and I’m stuck under a constant avalanche?

Frankly speaking, one can practically guarantee that nasty things will happen to us and we cannot undo the course of such an event. But then, setbacks, failures, and tragedy are a part of life. So, whether we manage to find joy and success in the daily struggle of life is largely dependent on our ability to persevere through even the toughest adversity without ever giving up.

Lately, having gone through a roller-coaster ride, with too many upheavals on the health front, I too have been plagued by doubts, uncertainties and an overwhelming sense of ‘doom’, some days, with no end in sight! On countless occasions, I have been very close to losing sight of hope and optimism. It would require no effort for just a few thoughts to send me into a downward spiral to fear, uncertainty and all the negativity. Thankfully, after weeks of waiting, I was able to see light at the end of the tunnel. It was all a matter of time, but the fear was so real and overwhelming, that on quite a few occasions, I actually did lose my optimism to fight back.

I guess we all like to be in control, and we also like the feelings that come with the belief that we are. The reality, however, is, that very little is. I learnt that it is not about us controlling life, but controlling our responses to the various situations in life that really matters. Someone I have known closely since my schooldays is right now caught in a grim battle with depression. No amount of positivity is working through her mind or body as she continues to grapple with her situation. Last week, again she tried to harm herself physically and in spite of the fact that she was being supported and guided constantly over phone by her friends not to do so, she caved in before her violent acts. So, why is it that although we’re all fighting our lone battles, some folks just give in? And, what is it that makes the rest of us resilient and fight back? Where do we draw all our strength from? And how do we carry on doing our normal duties and go about life?

I think the answer to this lies within us. In the midst of all the despair, somewhere deep within us lies the belief that whatever we want or wish for, can become a reality if only we tap into this inner sanctum of positivity. Living in a world where so much seems beyond our control, everyone needs to be able to access that inner dedicated source of hopefulness that no one can take away from us. The only way to do this is to have trust – trust in oneself and trust that whatever we hope for and wish for, will become a reality. If this inner sanctum gets disturbed and stops working for us, we lose all hope and slide into the quicksand of despair and darkness.

Hope springs from within and keeps us sane through any crisis. It did for me! It may take some time if things are very difficult. I am glad for one thing though – of not letting negativity take me on a spin and weigh me down. That way, I’d have done more damage to myself through the years!

I have often taken recourse to inspirational thoughts in life when the going has been tough. Today, I’d like to share some of these life-saving thoughts with you in the hope that someday when life gives you lemons, you too can find hope and draw strength from them.

Hope, love, faith, optimism are all easy when life is easy. But the key is to find and sustain hope in times of difficulties, challenges and obstacles.

Here are some of the best inspirational quotes for difficult times that have helped me keep my chin up through the odds. They’ve been nothing short of a life saver to me!!

• We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope. – Martin Luther King.
• Sometimes our light goes out but is blown again into instant flame by an encounter with another human being. – Albert Schweitzer
• The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity. – Ulysses S. Grant
• When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the aeroplane takes off against the wind, not with it. – Henry Ford
• The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials. – Chinese Proverb
• Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around. – Michael Jordan
• Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.– Thich Nhat Hanh
• In times of great stress or adversity, it’s always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive.– Lee Iacocca

Amidst all the uncertainties, I’m sure about one thing at least – that life isn’t always bad. Through these seemingly long stretches of fear, disappointment, pain and heartache, I realised that these are just brief, insignificant moments of time that will pass one day, leaving us with memories and some valuable life lessons. That, through the odds, life continues to go on and hope fuels our hearts and minds to move on.

What do you think of these quotes?  Would be wonderful to know your thoughts. Do you have a favourite that you’d like to share?

This post is written as part of Monday Musings hosted by Write Tribe!