“Hope is being able to see that there is light, despite all the darkness.” – Desmond Tutu

I feel lately I’ve been sad – like I’m living in a fog that never seems to lift. Every day we hear of more and more innocent people dying. Some because of the color of their skin, some because of their gender, others because of the people they choose to love.

Storm clouds seem to keep coming – collecting, looming in that great beyond. Making that ominous sound to warn us they are coming. Making us uneasy. Keeping us on edge.

Yet, they stay in the distance, growing darker; growing louder. But not moving closer any with great speed. Creeping towards us at snail’s pace – but with no sense of urgency; merely creeping.

I find myself wondering how do we stop them? How do we face this oncoming threat; advancing city by city, person by person, enveloping this small blue planet we call home. The only word that comes to mind is hope.

Hope. A four letter word that inspires change and pierces darkness. A word that has moved countless men and women to create great change. It brings light to a dark place.

Hope is what inspired Jessica Ekstrom, founder of Headbands of Hope, to create a way to help children battling cancer and enduring chemo. Through her colorful creations, she brings light, beauty, and hope to children fighting for their lives. She brings light to the darkness.

Hope is what motivates any great leader to take that leap of faith. So, as the darkness surrounds us, and tries to envelop us, I encourage you to hold tight to the words of Desmond Tutu – “Hope is being able to see that there is light, despite all the darkness.” If all of us hold tight to this light, we can keep those dark clouds at bay.

Red Flower Crown by Headbands of Hope. Round towel by CottonOn.