H is for Hope
In a world where hatred, violence, and greed are in abundance, it is hard to find room for hope. However, I believe as Anne Frank did, "It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart."
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I also try to focus on the positive aspects of life, no matter how diminutive they may seem. This is not easy, because negative issues in life can sometimes be overwhelming. However, in the words of Anglican Bishop Desmund Tutu, "Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."
To avoid negative situations, I thrive on being proactive, to avoid as much as possible finding myself in a bind. As Albert Einstein said, "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning."
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| Soft Rock Player at Pat O'Brien's, in San Antonio, Texas Nikon D3300 Photograph Shot With a Zoom Lens Our Beautiful World #136 - Colors Denise & Roger's ABC Wednesday - H is for Hope Sue's Image-in-ing |
Finally, I constantly remind myself that loosing hope can lead to stress, health issues, and even failure in relationships. That is why I choose to live by the words of the Apostle Paul, in the letter to Romans 12:12, "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Yes, there is a relationship between our spiritual, physical and emotional states.
May we all remember the words of Emily Dickinson, who said, "Hope it the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all." Thank you for stopping by my blog and taking the time to leave a comment, as well as for following my blog. Blessings!
As always, i totaly agree! Knowing that, although feeling like it sometimes, i am never reallty alone... keeps empowering me to hold on to hope as well as on some other things.
ReplyDeleteWe've been, still are, tested, i sometimes feel... and sometimes for unknown reasons... like that... and right at those moments, how intense my desire to quit may be, i feel that it is important, to NOT give in.
Be and stay blessed!
Have a nice ABC-Wednes-day / – week
♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (abc-w-team)
Beautiful colours and photos!! And such a lovely post...Thanks so much for sharing at OBW!
ReplyDeleteAWESOME post, Arnoldo! I love the share and quotes in your post. It truly is important to be reminded to stay positive and remember all the goodness in people....Your mini album is loaded with love and precious moments! Thanks for sharing your art and thoughts! So glad that you join the fun over Simon Says Stamp Wednesday “Anything Goes” Challenge!
ReplyDelete"Rejoice! I say it again, Rejoice!"
ReplyDeleteDon't have my Bible handy to reference it... but Paul said it.
Hi there,,I love your scrapbook pages, they are so bright and cheerful to remind you of happy days and celebrations.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite easy to become negative but my other half says you have to stop and think of all the good things in our lives and be thankful and realise how lucky we are.
Jan No 33
Paul is definitely a christian hero of mine and what he overcame by being a hater is worth all of us studying.
ReplyDeleteAnn
Hi Arnaldo! How I love your quotes and life attitude. Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteA great post! Thanks.
Have a good week,
Lisca
A positive view on life is the best way to live although it's not always easy, is it. Have a happy week Arnoldo. Barbxx #16
ReplyDeleteHi Arnoldo, Love the look of your journals.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog.
Happy WOYWW
Sue #19
Arnaldo, I saw a huge Angel behind the alter as the Priest was praying. It has always stayed with me and this image reminded me of that day. I like this rendition very much. Such wonderfully lovely art. Thank you so much for entering our 221st challenge. We are always delighted to see your entries.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Carole Robb Bisson
Word Art Wednesday
DT Member
Great words to live by. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteDiane WOYWW #31
Lovely post! I love your words and your pictures. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSharon K #42
Your smash book looks great and I'm with you regarding positive thinking....it's the way to be.
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring pages! Makes me smile. And gives me new
ReplyDeleteideas for my memorybooks.
And the saying is so true. In the end it´s
always best to keep focusing on the positive
things in life. Everything gets better after a while.
Have a nice week!
Sussie
You may be the most hopeful person I know!
ReplyDeleteROG, ABCW
Hi Arnoldo, always enjoy reading your words of wisdom. Have a great woyww and happy crafting too, Angela x 22
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you. I don't watch the news because all that is reported is violence and negativity. I'm sure I should be more aware of current events, but I like to stay in my happy place. :-) Your artwork is lovely as is your message.
ReplyDeleteApril #41
Lovely album pages..they show a busy and happy couple!
ReplyDeleteFantastic quotes Arnoldo! Each worthy of a journal page! Love your painting of the archangel Michael, your scrapbook pages and the photo! Thank you so much for your lovely, encouraging comments on my blog! I really appreciate your visit! Have a lovely week! zsuzsa #34 (WOYWW)
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful, Arnoldo - "hope springs eternal" as Alexander Pope said! If I had not had hope, I would not have got through last year. Hope, a positive attitude, a sense of humour, and faith. Thank you for your really lovely and encouraging comment - so glad you like my latest exploits, and that you share with me my joy at being given back the opportunity to praise the Lord in song, to bless others with the gifts the Lord has given me, and to lead others to the throne in worship.
ReplyDeleteShoshi
I love Pat O'Brians! Cool photo and great art here!
ReplyDeleteHEARTWARMING Arnaldo,
ReplyDeleteand HOPEFUL indeed.
Best wishes,
and Blessings.
Di ABCW team.
Stay inspired and keep the Faith! We are all a little broken, but that's how the light gets in, right?
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your blog!
Very nice album pages! So vibrant and full of happiness. Thank you for playing along with Simon Monday Challenge!
ReplyDeleteWonderful points made today. I try to do that do, and wish everyone did. Some people are such sour pusses. Love your art this week too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful art and words. Happy PPF, Valerie
ReplyDeleteSo cool!
ReplyDeleteI love your post, Arnoldo! Hope and faith are the keys to my sanity, for sure.
ReplyDeleteThe View from the Top of the Ladder
Hello Arnoldo. A Good post (good with a capital G) as always to cheer our spirit.
ReplyDeleteYour art is a bit different this week I think? ending with the very clear and happy photograph, I can almost hear the music.
what a really heartwarming and lovely post and art Arnoldo! Thank you for sharing your loving spirit here. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks for today's inspiring post Arnoldo and wonderful work for the challenges!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said my friend!! I agree one hundred percent with all you've said! Grappling onto hope helps to manifest wonderful things... even when despair sometimes pulls at your coat tails!! For the most part people are good.
ReplyDeleteHugs Giggles
It is awesome to stay hopeful and believe that people are kind in heart, I am trying to not let bad behavior of others took that away from me, trying hard. Thanks for sharing with us at Our Beautiful World!
ReplyDeleteHi Arnoldo, you post is lovely with so much positive encouragement. I agree with you on all of your points. Have a very nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteI've had an absence from visiting blogs... yet here I am, and reading your words felt I let go of a siiiiiiiiiiiigh. The words and quotes are timely reminders - and sometimes I need to just stop and breathe.
ReplyDeleteI love your book collages and your beautiful arch angel, great photo for Our Beautiful World too!
after a very long and hard week I needed to read this... thank you for the lift...xx
ReplyDeleteYour art is always SO wonderfully creative, Arnoldo. Thanks so much for sharnig it in our challenge at Word Art Wednesday. I'm so grateful to have you play along, and I hope that you will join us again soon.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Karen
Word Art Wednesday
I agree with you, Arnoldo, on all points. Sometimes I find it very difficult to stay positive in such a troubled world. I look at the world around me...the people, and see that I am not alone in my struggles, and it brings to my mind also scriptures from Apostle Paul. These two in particular: Romans 7:21, 25: I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. (25) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. The scriptures always bring me comfort on difficult days. It lets me know I am only human and prone to failure, but I don't have to stay there.
ReplyDeleteI began eliminating negativity from my life several years ago. I found I was happier and less of a 'lunatic'. My husband will tell you I became much easier to live with and our household much happier.
ReplyDeleteWho is the guitarist in your pic. Looks familiar. My day job is promoting musicians - particularly in Texas though I live in MO.
Creative Blessings! Kelly #49
I couldn't agree more. I have no choice about the behavior of others, but I do have options when it comes to my own... and I choose not to become mired in negativity. Plus if I looks for the good in others, I generally find it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-walls-of-san-juan.html
As always your artwork is wonderful--and your thoughts are profound. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteVery inspirational BLOG and post - much needed at this time in my life -thank you! Thanks for playing along with Scrap Our Stash too - love the smash book. DT Member Sherri at SOS ( I am a new follower to your blog )
ReplyDeleteAwesome artwork and I love how you used the banners. Thank you so much for sharing your work with Scrap Our Stash!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with us in Our Beautiful World. AriadnefromGreece!
ReplyDeleteAwesome work! Thank you for sharing with Scrap Our Stash!
ReplyDeleteAwesome project. Thank you for sharing it with us at Scrap Our Stash.
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