Having something to look forward to
The ancient Christians (in fact most religions) understood the benefits of Having something to look forward to. Be it heaven or the next public holiday or feast, they understood the need to celebrate life.
These days we call it Wellness, but that feeling that things are OK and can only get better is powerful, hope is everything. Indeed, some forms of torture are based on breaking someones hope.
Hope can be intangible, as simple as one small step to make things better, to ease an area of suffering. In medicine, it was given a name in drug trials: the placibo effect.
Of course, for many, where there is no life-impacting condition, contentment is seen as good enough.
But hope is a fire, a light in the dark. Hope is a driver, an end goal, a life-raft to cling to amongst the dreary everyday…
That’s very philosophical!
I guess so…
What’s brought it about?
We’re on holiday, skiing in France and it’s the first time we’ve done this trip by train. Not the easiest journey but as 90% of 800 odd miles was powered by electricity, a relatively green one.
It was not plain sailing: our first train, and indeed the whole track, was closed due to a tree falling down. But we made use of an alternative route and as it was our time, we got to recover.
The international stations were amazing, pianos were available and talented passengers regaled us with music – some from memory.
Lyon station had a room with many wheelchairs, walking frames, and walking sticks to help those with mobility issues. On top of that, every staircase was mirrored with a ramp and lift. As we had wheeled cases, it made our lives so much easier. We live in a county town – the equivalent in Suffolk of Lyon, but the facilities in the SNCF stations meant the transfer times were not unentertaining.
Right at this moment, I am watching it snow. In fact, it’s a bit of a white out from our chalet’s window. We’re choosing not to ski today, having got a 5 days skiing out of a 6 day ski pass.
I’m cosy, sipping a fruit tea, trying to get my wayward glucose ranges back under control. And resting my achy breaky knee.
I had hoped it would be better by now. It hasn’t turned out that way, but I am skiing and the fresh snow tomorrow (once pisted) will be incredible.
Hope springs eternal…
Posted: February 8th, 2025 under 42.
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