I've got LOVE scrawled on my knuckles,
HOPE written in my palm,
so that every time I write,
every time I tremble,
every time I raise my hand or my fist,
I am reminded
that there is still goodness in this world to hold onto.

If I punch someone,
LOVE would be imprinted on my cheek.
When I shake someone's hand,
I am giving them more than just a meaningless gesture.

In all that we do
with our hands,
there is room for improvement --
in every wave,
in every brush of the hair,
in every high five or fist bump
lies an opportunity to give more.
Take it.

Take your fistful of HOPE
and throw it at a stranger,
like a snowball
on the first snow of winter.
Then, reach out your hand
and help them onto their feet
as a reminder
that the winter may be cold,
but spring brings the sun.
And goodness always seems to show up
and knock on your door,
when you need to hear from it most.

So when the world
has suckerpunched you in the heart
with hate,
with lack of light,
I pray you remember
that HOPE and LOVE
are just an arms length away.