Hope is very strong — an inner source of illumination to shed light on the darkest night. It may just be a tiny flame but it is what sparks the human spirit and drives us beyond limits. This is the hope for tomorrow despite the difficulties one undergoes today; this is an assurance that there will be happiness, prosperity and freedom tomorrow. However, hope refers to a state of mind and not just an emotion. This is the power to imagine a happy ending in one’s mind, to dream about things that can be, and to continue seeing it in one’s mind even when struck by obstacles. The ability to take the initial step towards an unknown fate. This is the ability to be unstoppable no matter the challenges and frustrations that come your way.

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Many people found hope in Martin Luther King during the US civil rights movement. People all over the world still draw inspiration from his life experiences and teachings. Luther envisioned a truly equitable nation with fairness and justice based on people’s character, not color. In addition, he hoped that our children will eventually live in such a country. With the white supporters in mind, Luther hoped for this vision of his and was optimistic about its realization. In his much-celebrated I have a dream speech he called for civil and economic rights and disbandment of racism in America. His words such as of comfort, freedom, justice, and brotherhood continue to inspire more than fifty years after his death.

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With the help of their word and deeds, these individuals have pushed millions of people worldwide to never give up on pursuing their desires. They are reminders of hope in times of adversity and its potential triumph above hardships.

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Others’ opinion of Hope.

• Winston Churchill: "All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope".
• Jonas Salk: "Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality".

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One can also consider hope as one of the motivating tools for change. This is the fire that lights the candle of innovation and propels the vehicle of development. The belief that there is a force within humans that gives them the power to control their destinies. It is the belief that we can conquer difficulties, to learn throughout errors and become stronger each time.

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However, and most importantly, hope is our choice! However, it is a choice to be positive, believe in something despite the harsh reality. The persistence of determination to keep moving and to reach out for our dreams irrespective of what. The passion to persist; the resolve not to relent towards the vision of the light at the end of the tunnel.

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I think that hope is more than mere feeling. It becomes one’s lifeline, beacon, source of power and motivation. We cannot thrive without this as it is who we are, our very essence of being humans. However, as far as we retain hope, so long as we do believe in the pledge that there is coming a better dawn, we are able to withstand all hardships, cross all hurdles and accomplish anything. After all, if a person has hope, there is nothing that he/she cannot do.

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