Hope

I was recently reminded by a colleague of the heartfelt final scene of 1994 film Shawshank Redemption in which Red, after having been released from prison, is on his way to see his friend Andy in Zihuatanejo, Mexico (A place I coincidentally visited in the 1990's).

Red had chastised Andy earlier in the film for being hopeful about an eventual release indicating that: "Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane."

As he rides the bus southward, Red now reflects to himself:

"I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dream. I hope."

As I start out on my own journey with an uncertain conclusion, I share Red's excitement and anticipation.  And like Red, I hope I can make it.

So, what in your own life are you hopeful for?