One of my dear friends, Patti, who had been diagnosed with a cancer for which  there is no known cure, said as she was preparing for the results of her CT scan  which would indicate if she needed to go through yet another round of  experimental intensive chemo, “You know, it is hard to be positive all of the  time – it is just too exhausting… but I found I can remain hopeful.  I am always  hopeful.”

In her book, “My Stroke of Insight”, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, referring to her  eight-year recovery from a massive stroke, tells us that if the boundary between  what you can do and what you cannot do is not clearly defined, then you don’t  know what to try next.  Her key message: “recovery can be derailed by  hopelessness.”

Both of these amazing women, when faced with life-altering challenges – even  while recognizing their lives would never be the same – spoke of hope.  We can  learn from them and recognize that no matter what we are going through as a  nation, a family, or are experiencing in our careers – it is when we remain  hopeful that we can define and find the resources within to get us to the next  step.

It is the hope that you can manage through the challenge of change to live a  secure life… a healthy life… a fulfilled life… that will push you to focus your  thoughts and invest your time in the work required to move you closer to your  goals.  When we have hope, we can imagine a better life and we can choose to  lead our life in a way that will have a positive impact on our tomorrow. We  don’t need to be stuck when we have hope as a beacon.

Ken Blanchard once said, “Leadership is the capacity to influence others by  unleashing their power and potential to impact the greater good”.   This is a  time for the leader within us to emerge stronger and more resilient. With the  current trials we all face, it is sometimes difficult to be an optimist, but  with hope, we have the power to influence and impact the greater good – for  ourselves, our families and our communities.

Let hope be the seed that inspires you to work through any challenges you may  face and look past fear to imagine a life filled with new opportunities.