We've all heard that hope can lift your spirits, but it can also be the fountain of youth.
I watched "Deal or No Deal" tonight and watched a woman be transformed. Despite being a woman of a certain age, when she had the hope of winning $1 Million Dollars, she was a vibrant, youthful looking woman who belied her years. She was fun, funny, and full of laughter. With the opening of each suitcase, as her hope became destroyed, she aged.
By the time the last suitcase was opened with only $25.00, she was a haggard, older woman whose dreams had been destroyed. She was no longer boistered by her hope or empowered by her dreams. She appeared to be reminded of her real life, which was full of disappointment and heartache.
Her experience was evidence of something that I've stated before, "The hope of the thing has value". It also showed me that hope is a mark of youth. The thing that makes youth so attractive is that they believe that they can do anything. Age teaches you how to be realistic, but perhaps by learning that lesson you lose something else that's valuable.
I have been told that my looks belie my years. I think that it's a combination of things. One, I've been blessed with good genes. However, I also have retained my hope. Depite experiencing my share of disappointments, I still believe that life is a great adventure.
Each year, I continue to learn and to grow. I feel young, despite having some decades under my belt. I think that has made all of the difference.
Comments