With the deluge of bad news coming in right now, from dire climate change predictions to sexual harassment scandals to anti-net-neutrality laws, it is hard to not go through the cycle of anger, frustration and helplessness ending with cynicism. Way too often, I catch my inner voice asking – Is there any point at all in believing that we can do better and striving for loftier goals? Given our species’ eagerness to destroy ourselves, do we even deserve to dream of a better life?

But at the end of each mental tirade, I pull myself out because of that magical 4-letter word – hope – because if we don’t have hope, then what else do we have left?