Hope Lives

“Hope is the thing with feathers, That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all.” ― Emily Dickinson

There they were, thirty-three men trapped in a mine roughly 700 meters underneath the ground. A distance of almost eight football fields with tons upon tons of earth and rock seperating them from daylight.

For nearly 69 days they endured the process of a rescue hole being drilled and prepared. Then each man was rescued one-by-one, being lifted in a capsule to the surface.

There were many facets to the survival and rescue of these men. The work they did themselves while trapped, the technology of the drills, and so much more. Included in all of this was hope. There was hope that rescue would come and loved ones would be reunited.

Helen Keller said, "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." Hope and confidence that dark days will be overcome by achievement. Hope and confidence that whatever we face is but a passing moment towards something greater.

Each of us may not have to face what these miners did, but the darkness and isolation can feel the same. Just know that there are people out there pulling for you, willing to provide a hand. And while hope is not a solution, it is a support mechanism to help push you through.

Without hope, confidence is weakened and optimism lost. Keep hope alive when things go sour, when the path you are taking collapses and the darkness envelopes your life. Keep hope alive while others come to your rescue. Keep hope alive for a new and brighter day.

Stay inspired my friends.