At the end of the year, we all, to a greater or lesser extent, look back and think about everything that has happened during the year, and we even go back a little further. But it seems we find it much easier to remain fixated or overwhelmed by negative events, such as wars, natural disasters, illnesses, and human or material losses, perhaps due to a natural fear of suffering or because   hopelessness has taken root in our way of thinking and living . The loss of hope is often associated with negative experiences and the perception of a future filled with uncertainty.

Some go even further, like a friend of mine, who said to me: when truth and lies coexist in this world, when doubts arise about justice, when distrust of promises is born, when hatred and lies are legitimized as forms of progress, when freedom is diminished and we can no longer distinguish between good and evil, when the world seems unsettling to us, (…), what can we do? My friend proposes   that we face everything with the great values ​​we possess as human beings : respect, honesty, compassion, gratitude, a smile, (…). His reflection, put into practice, will undoubtedly make a better society. I would humbly add that we need to infuse all these values ​​with hope, since   hope is the driving force of life ; it encourages life, it gives us meaning beyond mere survival, hope illuminates the world. Hope prepares us to live the future.

The need to remain hopeful is captured in the popular sayings “hope is the last thing to die” and “while there’s life, there’s hope.” Hope is fundamental to our lives; it’s what drives us to achieve our desires and maintain our zest for living. Conversely, a lack of hope or despair leads to   sadness or depression .

From a practical standpoint, to live with hope, it’s necessary to focus on the positive aspects that generate motivation and positive perspectives. A lack of hope leads to a loss of interest in achieving desired goals,   abandonment of the struggle   , and a weakening of the capacity for reinvention. Hope demands struggle; it’s not an illusion, nor does it consist of finding solace in the face of life’s hardships.

It is important to recognize that the loss of hope is not a   sign of weakness , but a human response to   seemingly insurmountable situations . The path to regaining hope could be: recognizing and accepting our feelings, setting achievable goals, surrounding ourselves with positive people, asking for help, practicing gratitude, taking care of our physical well-being, valuing ourselves positively, imagining a positive future, (…). This journey allows us to face and build the desired future, a task that requires our effort; “he who hopes, risks.” Therefore, hope is an essential pillar of our existence. I suppose this idea motivated Serafín Madrid to found the   Telephone of Hope association   in Alcalá de Guadaira, Seville, in 1971, which soon spread throughout Spain. Its objective is to address the emotional health of those who find themselves immersed in   profound individual or family crises    due to various circumstances. As Benedict XVI stated: Every person needs a hope that helps him to face the present (Spe salvi) or this other thought in which he reminds us of our commitment to society: hope makes man not close himself off in paralyzing and sterile nihilism, but opens himself to generous commitment in the society in which he lives, in order to improve it (Speech, November 3, 2006).

Some are considering placing their hopes in   AI , believing it can improve the world. I don’t doubt it can help build part of the desired future, but I don’t think it can   fulfill the longing for happiness in our hearts .