Yesterday morning, November 5th, I meditated on the word "hope"; the verb "hope". This word is tiny but strong, just as all of the individual souls who took the time to not just register, but to actually get out there and vote. These people, the millions, believed that if they wanted something that they had to work for it. They started with small steps, as warriors often do, moving through apathy and towards hope. These individuals valued their lives, their health, their rights and they spoke up and they were heard. This is hope. Tiny but strong.
 
The guests that I am blessed to meet at The Grail are no different. They come, as individuals, with an idea, a vision, that things need to be better. They believe that there has to be more and things like health and wellness and stability and confidence and self-responsibility can be theirs. But only if they take that first step. That first step is hope. Tiny but strong.
 
The American people have worked hard so that they can share their dream with the rest of the world. For these millions who have taken these steps, at first alone and then as community; your lesson is not lost on us. For anyone who wants to make change, this is our new fable, this is the new story we tell our kids. This is the story of the victory of hope. Tiny but strong.
 
Believe that you are worth it and believe that if you start with small steps that you too can start the engagement that builds to a greater level. From the one to the many it starts with you. Your steps. Your hope. And today, breathe deeply, breathe freely, you are not alone as long as you have hope. Your life can be whatever you want it to be with small steps of hope. Grail Springs is where hope lives. Tiny but strong.
 
Namaste,
Barbara Shaw

Program Director