Hope is a Decision.

Yesterday, I picked up a book that stirred something deep within me—Hope is a Decision by Dr. Daisaku Ikeda. It’s more than just a book; it’s a quiet, powerful reminder of the strength that lives within us. Dr. Ikeda – a Japanese author, Buddhist philosopher, peacebuilder, and educator – presents hope not as a vague ideal, but as a practical force for living, especially in times of crisis.
“Hope is a flame that we nurture within our hearts. It may be sparked by someone else’s words or actions, but it is ours to protect, feed, and keep alive.” – Daisaku Ikeda
What truly struck me was the active nature of hope. It’s not a feeling that comes and goes; it’s a decision we must make—sometimes every day, sometimes moment by moment.

Why Hope is a Choice, Not a Circumstance?

When life tests us—through loss, loneliness, illness, or uncertainty—it’s easy to feel powerless. Many of us tend to resign ourselves to despair, believing that our situation is fixed, or worse, fated. But history and philosophy show us otherwise.
Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and neurologist who wrote Man’s Search for Meaning – shared the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp. He realized one thing that could not be taken from him was his ability to choose his response. He explains, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”
This echoes Ikeda’s belief that every person, no matter how grave their suffering, has the power to elevate their life condition. He writes that our inner determination can transform even the darkest moments into opportunities for growth.

Crisis and the Courage to Hope

We are currently navigating a global pandemic—a crisis that has disrupted lives, challenged mental health, and left many feeling isolated. But just as the lotus blooms from muddy waters, hope can arise in the most unlikely places.
Ikeda says: “As long as we have hope, we will never be defeated. Hope is a decision—a decision to believe in ourselves, in others, and in the possibility of change.”
This idea isn’t limited to Buddhism. Marcus Aurelius, a Stoic Roman emperor, urged himself to wake each day and accept reality with grace and clarity. He said, “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
Hope doesn’t mean ignoring pain. It means confronting reality with the firm belief that we can create something better from it.

What Does Hope Look Like?

Hope can be found in many forms:
– In a friend’s encouraging message when you’re feeling low.
– In the tree growing through concrete, reminding you that life finds a way.
– In the stories of people who rise again after devastating losses.
Dr. Ikeda shares stories of ordinary individuals who, through sheer courage wisdom and compassion, extracted from faith, transformed their circumstances. Whether it’s a war widow raising children with dignity, or a survivor of disaster who becomes a beacon of support for others, these stories show that hope is action, not abstraction.

A Spiritual Awakening

Hope also requires inner work. In Nichiren Buddhism, which Ikeda practices and many like him in 192 countries—this means pure hearted prayer of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, self-reflection, and striving to become the highest version of yourself. Nichiren taught that every individual contains the seed of enlightenment within. When we tap into that inner strength, we transform both ourselves and the world around us.
“A great revolution of character in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a society and further, will enable a change in the destiny of humankind.” – Daisaku Ikeda
Similarly, Rumi, the Persian mystic poet, wrote about inner transformation: “Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you.” – Rumi

Are You Hopeful?

So, I’ll ask you: Are you hopeful?
What fills you with hope? Or have you unknowingly surrendered to a world of despair, where violence is normalized, and injustice feels like background noise?
As Dr. Ikeda says, “The place where you are now is where your mission begins.”
We don’t need to accept the world as it is. We can reshape it, but only if we start from within.

Final Reflections
In times of crisis, the easiest path is resignation. The harder, braver path is to choose hope again and again, no matter what. But it’s in that difficult choice where we find real freedom—and real peace.

You are not alone

Philosophers across centuries—from Stoics to mystics to modern peacebuilders—all whisper the same truth: You have the power to rise, to hope, and to create change—starting with yourself.
So, the next time life knocks you down, ask yourself not “Why me?” but “What can I create from this?”
Let hope be your answer.