Hope is Essential

Hello friends,

I return to the concept of hope all the time because hope keeps us going. To dream is to hope. To plant is to hope. To have children is to hope. To build is to hope. To act is to hope. To get out of bed each day is to hope.

Hopelessness keeps us stuck in the mire of defeat, prey to discouraging thoughts and despairing emotions. This is why prison abolitionist Mariame Kaba reminds us “Hope is a discipline.” And yes, I quote her all the time, because it’s a useful reminder.

Hope is not one and done. We have to practice hope, and then root hope in what we plan and what we do.

All of my books are written from a place of hope. First of all, that the right words will emerge. Second, that my thoughts and stories will connect with others, offering both respite and inspiration. But the stories themselves are filled with hope. Not one of my books—fiction or nonfiction—ends in disaster. No. Each book ends with community triumphing, because they worked together to confront corruption, despair, and greed.

Even on my worst days, hope is my bedrock. Hope also gives me wings.

Every week, I write this newsletter with a sense of hope: someone out there will read my words and find meaning in them.

What gives you hope this week? What gives you hope today? How are you acting on this hope?

Best wishes — Thorn

p.s. In the middle of a recent podcast, the host asked me about the practice of hope and why it is important to me. You can listen here: Thelema Now​