If you can look at the sunset and smile
then you still have hope
If you can find beauty in the colors of a small flower
then you still have hope
If you can find pleasure in the movement of a butterfly
then you still have hope

If the smile of a child can still warm your heart
then you still have hope
If you can see the good in other people
then you still have hope

If the rain breaking on a roof top can still lull you to sleep
then you still have hope
If the sight of a rainbow still makes you stop and stare in wonder
then you still have hope
If the soft fur of a favored pet still feels pleasant under your fingertips then you still have hope.

If you meet new people with a trace of excitement and optimism
then you still have hope
If you give people the benefit of a doubt
then you still have hope
If you still offer your hand in friendship to others that have touched your life then you still have hope

If you receiving an unexpected message still brings a pleasant surprise then you still have hope
If the suffering of others still fills you with pain and frustration
then you still have hope
If you refuse to let a friendship die
or accept that it must end
then you still have hope

If you look forward to a time or place of quiet and reflection
then you still have hope
If you can look to the past and smile
then you still have hope

If, when faced with the bad
when told everything is futile
you can still look up and end the conversation with the phrase..."yeah...BUT.," then you still have hope

Hope is such a marvelous thing
It bends, it twists, it sometimes hides, but rarely does it break
It sustains us when nothing else can
It gives us reason to continue and courage to move ahead
when we tell ourselves we'd rather give in

Hope puts a smile on our face
when the heart cannot manage
Hope puts our feet on the path when our eyes cannot see it
Hope moves us to act
when our souls are confused of the direction

Hope is a wonderful thing, something to be cherished and nurtured, and something that will refresh us in return
And it can be found in each of us
and it can bring light into the darkest of places

Never lose hope !