The Tale of Two HOPEs

Originally when I developed Plant HOPE, I focused on what we needed to do for ourselves by having optimism, perserverance and enthusiasm on life. After my father passed, it took on another meaning of helping other people everyday. Given the overall shift in morale in America, I still believe as I did post-Katrina that we need both kinds of Plant HOPE.

Most recently HOPE took on an issues of HIV: HIV Outreach is a Path to Empowerment. With HIV/AIDS on the rise in our nation's capitol, we must create an environment of empowerment. When we think about the stigma that still exists in our communities that drives some people out of town in fear of perception, we must plant HOPE in people. We must not allow our lack of education on this issue to hinder the peace, dignity and humanity that we all deserve.

The essence of humanity is value the spiritual being as we travel through a human experience. Sometimes we loose sight of that but have the opportunity to regain and give what we wish to have in return, which is more hope. Because without hope, there is no future. We see this 'lack of hope' in family members, friends, colleagues, and classmates. That 'lack of hope' can turn into destructive use of energy such as violence to oneself or others. And in other cases, people look like the walking dead. They are physically free, but mentally enslaved. Two ways to break those chains are by planting hope in ourselves, which I believe is the foundation that blossoms into the second kind that plants hope in others. Frankly we can't fully give what we do not have. So if you have no hope for yourself, how can you truly have compassionate hope for others?