lotr

Hello friends! It’s been quite a week—and quite a year for that matter—so I thought I’d take a few minutes today to write about the power of hope. With any luck, you’ve all found a little time to do something you love during your busy schedules. Maybe you’ve even had time to do a little reading!

Anyway, back to the subject of hope. It goes without saying that 2020 has been…intense. On top of the big news and headlines, we’re still dealing with the usual upsets and roadblocks we’d have even in a less turbulent year. Many of my friends and family have faced big challenges and changes over the last few months, and I’m feeling a little heavy-hearted this week. So instead of dwelling, I wanted to take some time to think about something inspiring.

If you feel like you’ve oscillated a lot lately between manic hope and crushing depression, you’re not alone. I’m right there with you, but today I’m in a fighting mood (think Rocky, not Fight Club). There’s no better time than an election year to stand up, brush ourselves off, and get back in the ring. But I often find myself in need of a little help, which brings me to one of my favorite topics: The Lord of the Rings.

Here’s the Skinny

The Lord of the Rings is one of the best stories that’s ever been told, but I realize that not everyone is a fan. If you’re not familiar with the story, here’s what you need to know for the sake of this post:

Way back when, a scary dude named Sauron created a bunch of rings (nineteen to be exact) and handed them out to the races of Middle Earth. But surprise! He made one uber-powerful ring to rule them all and it was pretty much the worst so a bunch of guys teamed up to take him down. They won the battle but failed to destroy the ring (huge mistake) and now Sauron’s spirit is trying to come back and rule the world. Not cool, man.

Cut to Frodo and Sam, a couple of hobbits who get caught up in this hot mess because Frodo’s uncle couldn’t keep his hands to himself (ahem, Bilbo, we’re looking at you). Eventually, Frodo volunteers to take the scary magic ring to Mount Doom where it can finally be destroyed, and like the ride-or-die he is, Sam volunteers to go with him. Oh, and hobbits are pretty much the smallest and weakest dudes in Middle Earth. Got it? Good.

If that doesn’t make you want to read/watch The Lord of the Rings, I don’t know what more I can do. But anyway, back to Sam.

Now, Samwise Gamgee is the true hero of LOTR because my boy is literally always hopeful. And it’s not the fairytale version of hope where he’s constantly happy and singing. No, Sam carries with him a particular brand of actionable hope that sustains him and his friends in their darkest moments.

Hope is More Than Something You Feel

The task set before Frodo is quite literally impossible. He’s up against insurmountable odds with the fate of Middle Earth weighing on his shoulders—not to mention the physical toll that comes from carrying the ring. For most of the story, he is weak and tired and often mean to Sam as a result of his unbearable burden, but Sam never wavers. He has such unfailing hope for the world and for his friend that he knows there is always a way forward, even when all seems lost.

Now, for my writer folks out there, you know that Act II of any story is supposed to be the darkest act of the plot. Tolkien does this very well in The Two Towers when Frodo and Sam wind up in the middle of a war zone where Sauron’s minions nearly capture the ring (thanks, Faramir). Quick reminder here, if Sauron gets the ring back he’ll dominate the world and ruin everybody’s vibe. So the stakes are high and Frodo and Sam have no allies in their immediate vicinity.

The hobbits are bloody and bruised and far from home, and Frodo is at his breaking point. Then this happens:

I’m not crying, you’re crying.

The Power of Hope Lies in the Ability to Move Forward

Okay. Some things to notice here: Sam doesn’t stand idly by hoping Frodo will get away. He straight tackles him to the ground, risking his own life in the process. And then he gives Frodo one of the most inspiring speeches ever put on screen.

Hope is powerful. It is the thing that carries us through the darkest times, and it spreads to the people around us. Every time the hobbits are faced with an unwinnable scenario, Sam chooses hope. He finds a way forward. And so can you.

There’s a reason Tolkien chose to tell a story about Frodo and Sam rather than centering on the other, more powerful characters. Power is found in all kinds of things, but sometimes the most potent form of power comes from ideas. Sam takes on foes far greater and more terrifying than he has any right to face—did I mention he was a gardener before all this?—and he does it all through the power of hope.

To be perfectly honest, I’ve got some concerns about the future of this country. Freedom is so painfully fought for and so easily lost. More immediately, I have a lot of fear about my own future. But Sam gives me hope. There’s some good in this world. And it’s worth fighting for.

Middle Earth couldn’t be saved in a day. It took a series of courageous acts from two of the world’s most ill-equipped heroes to bring peace to a world wracked in chaos. And at the end of the line, when all seems truly lost, it’s not Aragorn who shows up to destroy the ring (although Aragorn is bae and we love him). In the penultimate moment of the whole trilogy, who comes in clutch? Samwise freaking Gamgee.

Spoilers ahead and all that, but it’s been almost 20 years so you had your chance. Here’s the best moment in cinema history:

Ah, this is the thing that made me want to be a writer. Stories are the raddest, am I right? These movies literally changed my life.

You Gotta Watch it, Guys

Whether you’re a fan of the trilogy or you’ve yet to partake of this glorious tale, you’ve gotta watch it. I wasn’t going to push it because live and let live and all that, but after writing this post I can’t help it. You gotta.

I can’t promise that 2020 will suddenly get less stressful, or that 2021 is going to be breezy. Life is filled with obstacles no matter your circumstances. But what I can say is that even when you’re standing on a volcano in the middle of hell with a magic ring that’s trying to kill you and no reason to believe you’ll succeed, hope is the thing that can propel you up the mountain.

If you’re feeling stuck these days, do one little thing that can move you forward. Find your courage and do something today that will benefit you tomorrow. Maybe it’s as simple as taking ten minutes to be mindful and take some conscious breaths. Like a hobbit, your will is mighty even when it’s small.

I wish all of you good luck as we head into the weekend, and I sincerely hope you have a Sam in your life to keep your spirits up. And don’t forget that someone you know might need you to carry them, too.

Have an amazing day. I’m gonna go watch The Lord of the Rings

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