Holding Onto Hope When the Odds Feel Stacked - 2025 - Week 14 Update


This week, I’ve been reflecting on something we all face at some point: those moments when it feels like nothing’s going in your favor. The plans fall apart, the wins don’t come, and it’s tempting to wonder if hope’s just a nice word that doesn’t hold up. But here’s what I’ve learned—hope isn’t about waiting for things to get easy. It’s about finding a way to keep going, even when the tide’s against you.

Picture this: you’re rowing a boat in a storm. The waves are high, the wind’s howling, and the shore feels miles away. Giving up might cross your mind—tossing the oars and letting the current take you. But then you spot a tiny break in the clouds, a sliver of light. It’s not the end of the storm, but it’s enough to remind you the sun’s still out there. That’s hope—it’s not the whole sky clearing; it’s the crack that keeps you rowing.

So how do you hold onto it when everything’s off track? For me, it’s about three things:

  • Look Back: Think of a time you’ve been here before—when it felt rough, but you made it through. You’re tougher than you think.
  • Find the Sliver: Even in the mess, there’s something—however small—that’s still good. A lesson, a kind word, a step forward. Grab it.
  • Move Anyway: Hope isn’t passive. Take one tiny action, even if it’s just getting out of bed or scribbling a plan. Motion keeps the flame alive.

It’s okay if hope feels fragile right now. You don’t need a roaring fire—just a spark. I’ve been there—days when the setbacks piled up, and I wondered if I’d misread the map. But every time, something shifted. Not because the world flipped overnight, but because I kept looking for that sliver and refused to stop moving.

Here’s my ask for you this week: find your crack in the clouds. Write down one thing—big or small—that’s still worth holding onto, even if it’s just “I’m still here.” Then take one step, however wobbly. If you’re up for it, reply and tell me what your sliver is—I’d love to cheer you on.

The storm doesn’t last forever. Keep rowing. You’ve got this.

Until next week,

Justin

PS - I have a weekly update that I will include on my dreams below, this is something I have been doing personally for more than 2 years now, and it is my guiding light for how I make decisions and decide what I want to be doing and chasing.

If you ever want to became part of what I am creating, you can sign up at www.justindcstephens.com for the Employee Empowerment Initiative.

Justin Stephens

Life with Justin Stephens

I am on a journey to document the true value of time. I am doing that through writing my own documentary on my life on X. By subscribing, you will be seeing behind the scenes on how I believe we as a society can collapse time and take care of each other better.

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