HOPE

HEART TO HEART

Why do people continue planting trees after disasters, studying after failure and rebuilding after loss? Because even when circumstances seem bleak, hope whispers that tomorrow can be better than today. Hope is a flicker of light, a powerful expression of trust that gives life meaning and gives us the chance to view our circumstances positively.

Emily Dickinson, a 19th century American poet, wrote a poem about the subject. She portrays the feeling as a little bird – “the thing with feathers – that perches in the soul”, a bird that never gives up despite difficulties, suffering, despair and loneliness. A bird so small and fragile, yet still striving to survive through the hardships of life, symbolising the resilience that remains in the human soul. That's the lesson for people, that no matter how big the problem or how small the person, hope is not lost.

Muslims seek hope by turning to Allah Almighty. We should always be hopeful for God's mercy and forgiveness. Whenever any hardship occurs and a person starts losing hope, the power of dua helps bring comfort, peace and trust in Allah's plan.

Being hopeful brings positivity in life and problems start to resolve by themselves because nothing in this world is impossible; even the word impossible says “I’m possible”! A hopeless person might always stay negative and see everything with a negative perspective instead of focusing on fixing the problem and moving ahead.

We must have faith and not give up despite any hardships because every bad time will lead to a reward. Things tend to come full circle, so always think of what is yet to come. That's how positivity will help you get through any time in your life, no matter how tough it may be.

So always keep the essence of hope in your heart, for that is the only way of having a healthy, successful and happy life. One can portray existence in whatever manner he or she wants, but hope is the fuel that runs life. Like Fyodor Dostoevsky said, “To live without hope is to cease to live.”