"Hope... which whispered from Pandora's box after all the other plagues and sorrows had escaped, is the best and last of all things. Without it, there is only time. And time pushes at our backs like a centrifuge, forcing outward and away, until it nudges us into oblivion... It's a law of motion, a fact of physics..., no different from the stages of white dwarves and red giants. Like all things in the universe, we are destined from birth to diverge. Time is simply the yardstick of our separation. If we are particles in a sea of distance, exploded from an original whole, then there is a science to our solitude. We are lonely in proportion to our years." — Ian Caldwell
I was speaking with a friend today, about a program called, "Outward Bound." Founded in 1941 by Kurt Hahn and Lawrence Holt—this school was designed to give 'young seaman' the ability to survive harsh conditions. It taught young men confidence, tenacity, perseverance and the ability to build experience through the harshest of conditions
Metaphorically, it also applied to life.
Some years later, the founders were giving a short lecture about the program, and with the intention to compel more youth to join. As the founders fumbled through a not-so-thoroughly convinced crowd, a young man (and graduate of the program) stood up to offer his assistance.
"You're not telling them the real reason why this program is so important," he challenged, "it's not just about the adventure and challenge, rather, it's more so because in doing it you will never again be afraid to try."
In life, there are many challenges—some large enough to knock us right off of our feet. And in their wake may exist a swirling sea of emotions...leaving us so fractured and fragile in our wondering why.
But, just as is the case with Pandora's box—there's always a little hope left inside.
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