“Where there is great love there are always miracles” – Willa Cather
The Roman statesman and orator Cicero has been credited with a phrase familiar to South Carolinians. “Dum Spiro Spero”, which translates “while I breathe, I hope”, is the state motto. It is also the motto of numerous families, the Scottish clan McLennan, the village of St. Andrews in Scotland, and the once Kingdom of Sarawak.
That three-word phrase has literally travelled the world countless times. Obviously, it has inspired many, as can be seen by its adoption by the governments and families that have created crests and seals to immortalize the thought.
Emily Dickinson wrote of hope. She said, “Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all.” She and Cicero, although separated by many centuries, shared a great love of correspondence between friends. And hope.
Dickinson also shared a kindred spirit with Emily Bronte, a fellow reclusive and student of Shakespeare. Hope, in the form of one of Bronte’s poems, lived on even at Dickinson’s own funeral. The poem she personally selected to be read at her memorial service was “No Coward Soul is Mine”.
May you be inspired by hope, today and always. Dream your dreams, reach for the stars, and live in hope and happiness.
“No Coward Soul is Mine” (excerpt)
No coward soul is mine,
No trembler in the world’s storm-troubled sphere.
I see Heaven’s glories shine,
And faith shines equal, arming me from fear.”
Emily Bronte (1818-1849)
Featured photograph “The Road Less Travelled ” by Teri Leigh Teed. Created during a journey to Blair, South Carolina, this photograph shows the road that runs from the old ferry port on the banks of the Broad River.