Hope and the Courageous Life

Finding the courage to carry on…

Throughout our lives we are forced to deal with the loss of many courageous, caring, and loving individuals, including family members and friends. In spite of the emotions and loss we may feel, we MUST go forward and carry on with our lives. It takes a great deal of courage to do so.

This blog post is dedicated in honor and memory of a very special friend who passed away in February of this year.

Many of you may not have known Shelly, but the memories shared and the legacy she left among family and friends will live on … and on.  And now it is up to those of us remaining here on earth to find the courage to live our lives to the fullest in honor and gratitude that we were able to spend precious moments with such an extraordinary individual. She will not be forgotten!

In this world in which we live, we are not promised an easy life, a life free from the loss of loved ones or from tests, trials, and even failures. But we can become bigger than anything we have to face in this life and become better because of it.

When you think of Courage, what almost always comes to mind as precipitating the need to be “courageous”?  Isn’t it either the grief we feel from a loss or the fear we feel about an uncertain future … or perhaps both of these feelings or emotions? In this quarter’s Hanging on to Hope web pages, we examine the topic of Courage and provide some suggestions of resources to help us live our lives courageously.

Our cartoon characters, Hope and Harry, are back again and will introduce you to a new courageous friend of theirs.  In the upcoming quarters, we will be hearing a lot more from him, but you can meet him now…

Updates for April, 2022 have been included on the following “Hanging on to Hope” web pages:

• Keys to Resilience – The topic of Courage is examined and addressed on the Keys to Resilience page.  Courage combined with acknowledging and addressing fear are primary components of a resilient lifestyle.
• Resources – The Resources page has been updated to include several resources to assist you on your journey toward a more courageous life.
• Punchlines – You will especially want to check out the Quotations in the “Hope Matters” section of the Punchlines page. The section includes many statements and citations which may help you live a more courageous life.  

You will also find a new subsection within “Hope Matters” entitled “Uplifting Expressions”.  This subsection will be updated on a quarterly basis in the future and will include poetry and prose such as the following poem by Mary Ainge De Vere:

Uplifting Expressions

Life’s Mirror

“There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave

        There are souls that are pure and true.

Then give to the world the best you have,

       And the best will come back to you.

Give love, and love to your life will flow,
        A strength, in your utmost need.
Have faith, and a score of hearts will show
        Their faith in your word and deed.

Give truth, and your gift will be paid in kind

        And honor will honor meet;
And the smile that is sweet will surely find
        A smile that is just as sweet!

Give pity and sorrow to those that mourn,
        You will gather in flowers again;
The scattered seeds from your thought out-borne
        Though the sowing seemed but vain.

For life is the mirror of king and slave
        It is just what we are, and do.
Then give to the world the best you have
       And the best will come back to you.”

Mary Ainge De Vere: pen name Madeline Bridges (1844-1920)

From De Vere, Mary Ainge (1904).  The Wind-Swept Wheat. The Gorham Press. Boston, MA. Page 87.

With love and respect to each of you as well as an acknowledgement that

Adversity in life is NOT optional, but your response to it is! Hang on to Hope!

Gregory Charles Reynolds

Be Strong and Courageous !