The Hope of Janus

“It’s more than a ring,” emphasized Elijah as he leaned forward in his chair. “The band represents the ideal of what hope can mean to the world and to every person. It is cultures, societies, and nations reaching across real and imagined borders and working together for peace through a commitment to understanding that, while we may have different beliefs and customs, we are all part of the global family. Every individual is the face of our collective humanity.

“It was the Spirit that called it the hope of Janus,” said Elijah. “It’s meant to signify the belief that the way we live on Janus can serve as a beacon of hope for a world that has truly reached a crisis stage. We may only be an island in the North Sea, but we are also an example of how a diverse group of people can live together in harmony.

“No one needs to be told the world is facing unprecedented problems. What’s needed is someone who can bring hope that, through forgiveness, understanding, tolerance, and equality, we can arrive at a destination called peace.”

“Do the islanders know that’s what the ring means?” asked Sean. “Everyone is aware of its significance,” responded the Prophet. “It is shown to every islander as part of the ceremony that surrounds their first meeting with the Sprit. They learn the story and that we are waiting for the one who will wear the ring.”

“And you believe I’m that person,” said Sean.

“I do,” replied Elijah. “You’ve been asked by the Spirit to take the Janus message to the world. The ring rightfully belongs to you.”

Sean shifted in his chair. The fingers of his right hand drummed a steady tattoo on its flat, wooden arm. “The hope of Janus is just a dream,” he finally said. “Despite the harsh realities of death and misery that war brings, the world continues to see open conflict as the ultimate answer for resolving its differences. And the further we advance technologically, the greater our descent into warring tribal communities.”

“But that’s exactly the point,” challenged Elijah. “We seem to have forgotten that collective hope is driven by every individual dreaming for a safe and secure life. What I’m talking about is born in the heart but lives in the soul. It is striving to achieve what is best in oneself. Most people want the same thing, and that’s a present filled with plans for a future they believe is attainable. By providing equality in education, meaningful employment, and adequate housing the possibility of a better tomorrow can become a reality.

“And because of that, the hope of Janus represents more than nations committing to living together in peace,” noted Elijah. “It is also the ability of individuals from every global community to build a society whose strength lies in treating each other with respect, understanding, and compassion.

“Unfortunately, we live in a world where too many societies define themselves by their differences with other cultures, rather than celebrating and cherishing our common humanity. We somehow have to move into a reality where diversity is seen as a global strength not a weakness.”

“But hope is such a nebulous quality,” offered Sean. “One can live in hope without anything being achieved. There has to be more to accomplishing something of value than having faith it will happen.”

“I agree, to a point,” responded Elijah. “Hope is one of the most intrinsic of all our human qualities. It sets us apart from every other creature in that we can envision what is ahead in our lives. It has fueled humanity’s progress through the centuries. Hope is what generates medical and technological advances. It makes us chase the possibility of life on other planets. 

“Hope is using past experiences, along with present realities to forge a life you control. And if hope is to be a meaningful part of our lives, it must contain goals that can be achieved.

“Wishful thinking or dreaming for a better life should never be confused with hope. I believe hope is a tangible expression of how a person wants to live their life. It is looking at both the long- and short-term future and plotting a course that can bring us to what we want to accomplish. It requires a commitment and a plan that is flexible enough to withstand day-to-day realities but possesses a boldness that allows for an attainable goal to always be in sight.

“Hope ought to be a practical expression of our wants and desires. And so long as we don’t hinder or hurt others, al of us should have the right to pursue a future where hope can become reality. At the same time, we must view hope in pragmatic terms, or we may lose sight of the present. Our lives become a wish for the future, rather than intensely living the day we have been given.”

“What about people who work for a better world?” offered Sean. “Based on your criteria, it cannot be defined as hope. So what would you call it?”

“It is hope,” responded Elijah, with emphasis. “Very few people can directly influence global events, but if everyone truly strives for a better world, there are a myriad of things that can be done. Trees can be planted, garbage recycled, and the less fortunate can be assisted through volunteering; these are all individual acts among many that can make our world a more livable place.”

“But what is achieved?” asked Sean. “If the world continues down its destructive path, then that form of faith can lead to disillusionment.”

“That’s where I believe hope has to be viewed in a light that is manageable,” answered Elijah. “What is wrong in taking satisfaction by saying you plan to plant a hundred trees and then achieving that goal.”

“And how does one deal with disappointment?” wondered Sean. 

“There are frustrations and defeats in life,” acknowledged Elijah. “But isn’t that the essence of hope? One has to move beyond the hurt and the sadness and let the belief in something better make this day and the ones to come be a place where you want to live.”

“But there are events that shape our lives and that can take away our dreams,” offered Sean. “The loss of a child or a spouse can be devastating.”

“I am not disagreeing with you,” responded Elijah. “Instead, my belief is that, since we are all in possession of free will, we have a choice to journey through today and plan for the future with hope and courage or let the weight of past and present tragedies, failures, and disappointments crush us.

“Hope is an intensely personal emotion. How people choose to look at the world and the future is for them alone to decide. The hope of Janus, as symbolized by your ring, is the dream of a better world, through our island’s principles of forgiveness, understanding, tolerance, equality and peace. It is people realizing that everyone’s passage through life should be guided by the hope of a life worth living.