Holding Hope in My Hands: A Reflection on Choosing Hope in Dark Times
- Ronnie Dunetz
- Apr 6
- 3 min read
In a world where so much darkness seems to be taking over — wars, terrorism, insane politics, hate, division, natural disasters despair — it can be easy to give up on hope. Many confuse hope with optimism, but they are not the same. Optimism says, “It will all turn out fine”, but it gives little in the way of practical action and can even at times be downright dangerous. Hope doesn’t promise that. Hope says: I can’t be sure how it will turn out, but I will still act with faith, dignity, and courage. Hope speaks a different language, a language deeply rooted in the human existence.
Hope is not a "feel-good" emotion. It is not a wishful thought or naive denial of reality. Hope is a choice. A responsibility. A way of life. It is rooted in a deep commitment to healing, to presence, to action — to Tikkun Olam, the Jewish call to repair the world. And I draw strength from a practice rooted also in Eastern tradition — in Buddhism, the Eightfold Path speaks of right view, right intention, right action — tools that guide us back to what matters. Hope is a discipline, an energy, that lives in that space.
Nobody has expressed this much better than Shaul Tchernichovsky in his canonical poem, “I Believe,” written in 1892, which is as apt today in its inspiring clarity of vision as it is in its belief in the human capacity to better reality even under the most adversarial circumstances.
"Rejoice, rejoice now in the dreamsI the dreamer who speaks
Rejoice, for I have faith in humankind
For I still believe in you."
As I hold my grandchild in my arms, I feel the beauty and miracle of life along with its mystery, fragility and uncertainty. It seems that as time goes on I go more and more back to my father, a Holocaust survivor, who lost nearly everything and everyone, who saw the worst of humanity and still chose to rebuild, to love, to raise a family, to believe in life. His story is deeply ingrained in me as I choose to cultivate, absorb, internalize and teach it to others.
So today, I invite you to join me in reflecting on that point that hope is not about predicting the future. It’s about preparing our souls for it.
Each morning (or evening), let’s ask ourselves:
What is one small action we can take today to bring more hope into the world — even in the smallest way?
What is one thought we choose to nourish, to uplift, to hold onto — even when things feel heavy?
Let’s write it down. Say it aloud. Share it with someone. Small sparks of intention can light a path through the darkness.
Let’s not abandon hope. Let’s embody it and remind each other: Hope is alive when we live it. This is what my heart is whispering to my new grandson after his long journey into life.
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✅ Hope in Action: An Invitation
🌱 If you're looking to bring a meaningful conversation about hope into your community, school, or organization — I’m now offering my “Hope Accelerator Workshop” online in English.
It’s a practical, moving experience designed for people facing uncertainty, transition, or challenge — grounded in meaning-centered tools, storytelling, and shared humanity.
#Hope #TikkunOlam #SecondGeneration #LegacyOfLife #Grandfatherhood #SpiritualWisdom #Tchernichovsky #Frankl #RightAction #JewishWisdom #ChooseHope #MeaningMatters
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