Symbol of Hope
When I was younger I read the Hunger Games Trilogy fervently. I was there for the premiere day of each film at the movies. However, this book is more than just a teenage fantasy.
The premise of this book takes place in the future, where the US has lived through a civil war, which ended in a dictatorship by President Snow. Now president Snow is keeping the country separated by different districts, each district with their own industry, and every year two representatives of each district; children between the ages of 12 and 18 are being called up to fight against each other in the Hunger Games.
At that point in our lives this seemed so far from reality, but in this day and age looking at global politicians who are setting up shop for whatever is the opposite of democracy. Makes the Hunger Games seem like a prophecy.
Today it seems like Teslas and cybertrucks are the new maga hats. Those used to be a symbol of support for an ideology that seemed far from where I lived. I can’t seem to shake the feeling that we have let the ideology creep closer to our lives in the name of ‘innovation’. By inviting their technologies into our lives.
One of my favorite quotes from the book is:
Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous.
What is for us a symbol of hope today? The only place where I can find a sliver of hope; is in nature. Every winter the trees, flora and fauna find a way to have a slumber while the world freezes. At the end of the season, they find their way back to life. If you’re ever hopeless, look outside, have a walk, whatever season or time, there is something to hold on to. Smell the flowers, look at the birds, pet a dog, touch some grass. And you can count on the sunset to be there or the stars in the sky during the evening.
Yours faithfully,
CJ Felicia.
© Lois Smit