Never. Lose. Hope.

“Totally without hope one cannot live. To live without hope is to cease to live. Hell is hopelessness. It is no accident that above the entrance to Dante's hell is the inscription: "Leave behind all hope, you who enter here.” 

― Jürgen Moltmann, Theology of Hope

Chris Rosati, the guy who, when's diagnosed with ALS, decided to hijack a Krispy Kreme Donut truck (http://youtu.be/eMNVJZRIU9s), noticed that everyone else he met with ALS consistently had a smile and optimistic attitude (http://youtu.be/17nNg7lT3Yc).

Linda and I latched on to Hope early in our ALS journey. In 2008, in Redding, CA Linda bought a metal bean with Hope inscribed on it. I've carried it with me ever since. A year later we were blessed with our van and dubbed it the Hopemobile. We lease it for $1 a month. Next came the Hope Page on Facebook. A series of photos with people writing Hope-JG in the sand and on signs from around world. And finally, our puppy, who came with the name Hope.

The quote above says the entrance to Dante's hell is inscribed with the words: "Leave behind all Hope, you who enter here." To live without Hope - with or without ALS, is indeed to live in a state of hopelessness.. Hopelessness is not a normal condition of the human spirit. 

Henry Kissinger said "A diamond is merely a lump of coal that did well under pressure." My friend, the sun will always come up tomorrow. No matter what trials you face, you are a diamond in the rough. Remember that if Hope begins to waiver. 

We all have rough days. We all slip into despair. Hope can pull you through. Hope is not magic. It's in your DNA. 

Never. Lose. Hope.