Lately, I've been pondering for some time over a single, solitary word that comes up so often. The word is 'hope'. It is meant to encourage...to offer the possibility of a better outcome to a bad situation. In the forefront, there seems to be a bigger connotation implied, and that is, better not count on it. Place no significent bets on any REAL power it may have.
Most of us have grown into our adult years with this word 'hope' passing our lips so very often. We want the best of a thing to present itself, but we believe more the opposite: that it will not.
The dictionary gives the word 'hope' this meaning: "to cherish a desire with expectation of fulfillment". My feeling is we certainly cherish the desire, but the expectation falls short of the mark!
For all those out there who's names are Hope, I apologize. I believe the name was given to shine a ray of golden light for all good things. But the name 'Definite' would have been better...peculiar to say the least, but better. "Definite Washington sealed the deal today". Personally, I'd feel very confident with THAT name as to the firm's future.
None of us want the responsibility of a guarantee. Less commitment in 'hopeful' than to 'guarantee' it. I have come late in life, but not too late, to offer the word guarantee to someone in trouble that they'll be all right, then to 'hope' they will. I'd much prefer to put a little 'spin' on this pitch and have the ball bounce where I want it to. In the beginning of the film Patton, every remark the General makes is that of winning...Americans traditionally love a winner and will not tolerate losing. He didn't pep talk his troops into battle "hoping" they'd win. He never once used the word 'hope' and neither did Muhammed Ali...."I am the greatest", he stated and then went into the ring to prove it!
Expect the good out there before it happens. Expect it to come rushing in. It takes some practice, but I'd rather be certain than hopeful.
