For me, the third verse in Let It Be by The Beatles reaffirms the importance of accepting circumstances: “And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me / Shine on ‘til tomorrow, let it be.” This sums up the essence of holding onto hope for a better tomorrow.
I’m not saying life is all butterflies and rainbows, but I want to emphasize holding onto hope until you find the light at the end of the tunnel. There is a positive correlation found between hope and wellness, both mentally and physically. A 2006 research study found that sustaining feelings of hope in the face of vulnerabilities serves to moderate stress reactivity and mediate stress recovery. It was also reported that low-hope individuals claimed higher levels of daily stress.
More recently in 2020, another study looked at hope and took a sample of around 13,000 people. Participants with high feelings of hope were seen to have less chronic ailments, low mortality and cancer risks, and fewer problems with sleep. They reported higher life satisfaction and purpose, lower depression and loneliness, and better social skills.
Moving out of my hometown last year and becoming independent has taught me some core life values, and at the top of the list is my unshakeable belief that life will always get better. If not today, then tomorrow, and if not tomorrow, then the day after.
At its heart, hope is an outlook on life with the possibility to create reality. Research shows that when people have hope, their goals are actually more likely to become reality. It won’t magically fulfill your aspirations, but gives you a clearer picture of the end goal and how to achieve it. It can motivate you to do better and push yourself forward to chase far-sighted dreams.
Having experienced this first-hand, I have seen myself depending on hope when life gets stormy. I went from being unsure of what I want to do in my life to having a clearer goal. Though the path is still a bit murky right now, it’s my belief that what I hope for myself can become true. By taking it one day at a time, I remain motivated and restart every morning with a renewed hope to seek my aspirations.
Hope for a better tomorrow also creates growth and can improve adaptability. I used to think I would never adjust to a new country by myself after relocating from India. I have gone through phases of self-development, fleeting friendships, and multiple jobs. It has brought me acceptance that some things have to fall apart for better things to fall together and has given me the strength to let go of control. Initially, I wasn’t sure if I could manage classes, work, and all of the household chores, but I learned to adapt; adapt and fight against any circumstance with the hope that it will eventually all be worth it. The journey has taught me to find light in the simple joys of life — making my will and hope for a better future even stronger.
To paraphrase Haruki Murakami: no rain, no flowers. Even during the darkest times, it’s about holding onto hope, knowing that brighter days will come. It’s about embracing life with optimism, living for the promise of a better tomorrow. It’s not just about weathering the storms; it’s about dancing in the rain, knowing that on the other side lies a rainbow of endless possibilities. Hope is not just a made up concept, but something that helps form new destinies.
