The Hope QuotientSample

There is power, encouragement, and freedom from anxiety in friendship. Things just go better when you don’t do life alone. Sometimes it seems the only thing that can get your hopes up after they’ve been dashed is a friend. 

A high school sophomore wasn’t feeling well. After a few doctor visits, he got devastating news. Cancer. The doctor said, “That’s the bad news. The good news is, your long-term prognosis is excellent. You’ll need surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, which will make you lose your hair.” 

The young man checked out of school and went through the process. The day the doctor cleared him to start back to school, all of his hair was gone. The whole way home from the doctor’s office he was quiet, feeling more and more depressed. The next day, his very worst fears were going to come true. He was going to be a fifteen-year-old walking onto a high school campus very bald, looking and feeling like an idiot. He knew he’d be made fun of by every student at the school. 

“I wonder if I should just take the rest of the year off and have them send me homework,” he told his mom as they drove. “I don’t want to see anybody.”

The mom pulled into the driveway. They walked together into the dark house and she turned on the light. Seventy people screamed, “Surprise!”

Seventy of his friends from school were in his living room—and every guy had shaved his head.

Remember, friendships are not found—they’re built. In twenty years of working with people, I’ve talked to so many who say they “can’t find friends.” There is no “tree of friends” that you need to find. Today would be a great day to start doing something to build some friendships. You, and the people you befriend, will be glad you did.

Think Up:

Build a base of support. Not only will you be better, but you’ll feel better. 

Where will you find friends who will help you grow in hope for the future? (Read on).