Some days you just feel like the clouds are closing in and you can’t see the path ahead. Your dreams seem more distant than the day before and all you need is a little ray of sunshine to give you the hope and confidence to carry on. On days like that I go in search of inspiration and wisdom from those who have gone before me and would like to share some with you in case you are feeling lost in the fog.

“Life affords us no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes, and seeing them gratified. He that labors in any great or laudable undertaking has his fatigues first supported by hope, and afterwards rewarded by joy…To strive with difficulties, and to conquer them, is the highest human felicity. ~ Samuel Johnson

“You are to gather up the joys and sorrows, the struggles, the beauty, love, dreams and hopes of every hour that they may be consecrated at the altar of daily life.” ~ MacRina Wiederkehr

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” ~ Helen Keller

“Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up.” ~ Anne Lamott

“Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.” ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

“`Hope’ is the thing with feathers – That perches on the soul – And sings the tune without words – And never stops – At all.” ~ Emily Dickinson

I must say that just writing these out to share with you has lifted my soul and shown me a ray of hope. Thank you.

Until next time…