Let go of hope

Author: Compiled by the Publicity and Culture Department of the China Disabled Persons' Federation
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-11-01
Features: "Letting Go of Hope" was published as a sequel to "For the Beauty of Life." It is like a red ribbon, weaving together the interpretations of belief and the interpretations of hope from these disabled writers, envisioning the strength and brilliance of life. Reading through the entire book, one is often moved to reflection and touched by the deep emotions in the heart. The essays and sketches of these hundred writers share two common points. First, they have all carried misfortunes in their destinies; second, they have all gained hope in their struggles. Whether blind, deaf, or physically disabled, they all have their own dreams. To achieve these dreams, they have all endured extraordinary hardships and relentless pursuits. With strong wills, they overcome their physical or psychological obstacles and stubbornly fight against fate. They all possess the greatest capital in life—resilient belief and persistent hope. It is because they have let go of hope and tirelessly cultivated their ideals that they have ultimately gained the strength of self-esteem, confidence, self-reliance, and independence. Only then can they fully participate in political, economic, cultural, and other aspects of social life, use their pens to explore the value of life, and nurture tomorrow's hope in their respective life journeys. In a certain sense, absence is a regret, whether it be in a person's physical limbs or the content of life itself. But if hope is lost in the spiritual world, it is no longer just a regret. Hope is the life support for an individual, a group, and even a nation. It can be said that "Letting Go of Hope" shows us not the endless complaints of disabled writers about their difficult fates, but rather their artistic portrayal of their pursuit of light and the experience of happiness, the reflections gained after savoring the journey of life. The ideas and spirit it embodies provoke deep thought and linger in the mind. Through vivid brushstrokes, the authors describe every trace of beauty and every desire in life. Even in hardship and adversity, they persistently capture the light of hope and perfectly showcase its splendor and charm. How strong is this persistence! Some say that hope is the light that guides us forward, the longing for the future, the expectation of success after struggle, and the source of human relentless pursuit—it is also the force that sustains life. Indeed, precisely because of this quality of never giving up hope in hardship, each disabled writer can wholeheartedly praise life, look forward to the future, let go of hope, and enable readers to experience the spiritual strength that transcends life and reflects on life.