Hope

HOPE

By A. Garcia-Wiltse

Knowledge is hope – and it is awareness that bestows wisdom.  And together – hope and wisdom are what the American idea used to be.  Anticipation swathed in rational expectation.  Reason – tempered with logic and clarity.

Borne of intellect and aptitude – hope fuels the human psyche that penetrates the shadows and the shades of despair and anguish that can distort and disfigure the fragile wonder and splendor of passion, fidelity, trust and faith.

It is hope – interlaced with the wisdom of ages, the moment in time, and the circumstance or affliction – that ignites man’s innate ability to think, to feel and to act or react rationally, cogently and sanely -- in concert with the best of human inclinations.  But hope is not a given in human consciousness.  It is nurtured by time and circumstance – and sustained through each passing season -- by struggles and strains – and sorrows and sacrifices – that strengthen and brace the outline of the human soul.

And it is when intellect – understanding -- knowledge – and awareness – is contradicted or rejected, and openly rebuffed and spurned -- that hope is diminished, and wisdom denied.

And here we are – the very soul of America withering and fading – and in a state of chaos, distrust and hopelessness.  And the world watching and waiting for the heartbeat of America to begin to beat again – and for hope and wisdom to regain the levers of rationality, civility, trust and vision for itself and for the world.