High Hopes

I used to be rather cynical. Then I realized how miserable that is.

I think I’ve found a pretty good balance. I’m not cynical and pessimistic, but I’m also not wildly, unrealistically optimistic (although I was reflecting today on how much of an optimist I’ve become).

My high school band director often told us the difference between a dream and a vision.  Although it was cheesy at the time, I’m beginning to realize how true it is. A dream says, “It would be nice if this happened someday.” A vision says, “It would be nice if this happened someday, and this is how I’m going to make it happen.”  I’m reaching a turning point in my life: I still have many dreams, but my visions are growing rapidly and becoming alive and real. It’s actually very exciting.

I’m really looking forward to my future. Many beautiful things lie ahead. You might have no idea what I’m talking about and are wondering what some of these “visions” for my future are. To give you an idea...

• I have a ring on my finger, and in 248 days, I’ll have another (that’s June 30, in case you didn’t want to do the math).
• I filled out an application for a grad school today.
• I attended a Career Expo yesterday, and talked to a few missions organizations about long-term missions possibilities.

I have high hopes for the future, one of which is embodied in this song. It has become very special to me lately.  One of my greatest hopes to spend the rest of my life with my soon-to-be husband and watch him grow into the person God wants him to be. Thanks be to God, this hope is becoming reality.

Below is a video of a song called “High Hopes” by The Vespers, as well as the lyrics.

You are the strongest among people
That live around you, but you don’t know it.
I hope you never will, I hope you never will.

You grow to be the one that you should be
Gallant and selfless, but you don’t know it.
I hope you never will, I hope you never will.

You’ve been through so much and grow through more still
Brave as a lion, but you don’t know it.
I hope you never will, I hope you never will.

I have no reason for why I say this
For you might hear and might come to know this.
I hope you never will, I hope you never will.

You might someday see what you are truly.
And how I pale in comparison to thee.
I hope you never will, I hope you never will

Friend, hold on to me, for I want to see
You become the person you should be.
I’ve always known you will, I’ve always known you will.