ON HOPE ( A thought by Prince Charles)

If I do not discuss what I feel about the abuse of the word or term  "hope", then I will be doing myself no good as I have taken into observation how we, as suffering Africans have folded our hands and allowed certain opportunities pass us by, as well as having several people ride us.

 It is important to note, that the concept of hope was birthed out of the need to help individuals who lack, the level of confidence or esteem needed to face challenges that life throws at them. It is a term, that was designed as a motivation to keep pushing, despite the uncertainties and surprises that most times are presented by circumstances, that could not be controlled or altered by man.

I have spent time in understanding my immediate environment and how it is affected by hope.  The society, now rides on hope as an excuse to not participating in the activities meant for the improvement of the standard of living in the communities. Statements like; "we can only sit and hope for the betterment of things in the nation",  "hope is all the masses have, so let's just hope", shows that hope is being used as a front for not agitating for what we have the power to change, it explains the fear of Africans towards taking charge of the immediate, this in turn now poses as a problem since we are dependent on others for everything.

Politically, it has been identified as a tool for imprisoning the mind of the masses. The masses are in shackles created by their minds.  They just sit and hope that things will get better without working towards it, all the ruling class does is capitalize on our deformity.  In a religious society as ours, I don't know how it is possible to miss the part of the Bible that says faith without works is futile. How do we break out of this shackles? Breaking out is quite an easy thing. It is about the conscious reconditioning your mind, to first think of ways that you can help you get out of the situation you find yourself in.  With a mindset of only you can help you, independence is birthed. With independence we become the masters of our fate and the decision to improve our environment is placed in our care.

In conclusion, hope should not be for the capable and masters of fate, it is a tool of politicking as explained in 1984 by George Orwell. The concept of hope should only be tapped into when circumstances are beyond human control, even at that, effort should be put into changing the situation or improving the immediate. Stop hoping when you can change your situation.