Hope.

Hope is not, and has never been about optimism or pessimism. Hope is not an outlook on life. Instead, hope is the butterfly in our stomachs, in our hearts, a butterfly that begs to be let out into the world, to roam free. Some people hope most of their lives, watching that butterfly flutter. Time stands still for them, watching it fly is somewhat therapeutic. Hope never dies unless you let it. Hope is wishing for something more in life, overlooking the possible consequences and focusing on the positive outcomes, because it's better to look forward to something good than await your own destruction. Time and time again, the wind is against their butterfly, their hopes dashed over and over and over, but time stands still for them. Hope doesn't die until you let it. Some people would rather not waste their life hoping. Hope is just an illusion. A way to paint everything bad in a good light. A way to have something to look forward to when you're eventually getting the short end of the stick anyway. Some people have hoped again and again, but not once have the wind not been against them. Some people have given up. Maybe it's better not to expect much, that way if the worst happens we won't crash as hard. Hope is not, and will never be about optimism or pessimism. Hope is not an outlook on life. Hope is everlasting. Hope is dead.

Hope doesn't die unless you let it.