Emotions demand to be felt.

Hope is something that happens automatically in those human beings who are predisposed to optimism, and yet is often suppressed manually precisely because of hope not being realized. It hurts worse when one "gets her hopes up" and then has them crushed versus someone who didn't have his hopes up to begin with, and therefore is not surprised when hope is not realized. And if the hope is realized? Then it's a pleasant surprise.

Hope is a tricky thing. Being hopeful allows for more pain, hurt, and disappointment. It's risky business. Does having hope mirror having expectations too closely? Many people say not to have expectations, but to appreciate everything that comes. Is hope too similar to having expectations and therefore everyone should remain, in a word, hopeless? So as to not expect anything?

This seems a cynical way to live, and yet, perhaps the most realistic. But it also means remaining jaded and not allowing oneself to feel pain. It's escapism.

All emotions are beautiful. All emotions demand to be felt. Pain, joy, love, heartache. To truly learn and grow, one must lean into them, and not avoid them. Avoidance of uncomfortable and painful emotions means we stunt our growth and prolong our struggle. Welcoming difficult feelings, by contrast, helps us to feel more fully human, to feel really alive, to embrace the human condition, and to develop empathy.

"The glory of God is man fully alive." - St. Irenaeus