If you can look at the sunset and smile,

then you still have hope.

If you meet new people with a trace of

excitement and optimism,

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 find beauty in the colors of

a small flower,

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 receiving an unexpected card or letter

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 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 give people the benefit of a doubt,

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 still buy the ornaments, put up the

Christmas tree or cook the turkey,

then you still have hope.

If you still watch love stories or want the endings

to be happy,

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.

If you can look to the past and smile,

then you still have hope.

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