Hope
We must take a hard road, a road unforeseen. There lies our hope, if hope it be.
J.R.R. Tolkien

Tuesday, September 16, 2025
When Elrond — a wise half-elf leader in J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary fantasy series “Lord of the Rings” — advises taking the “hard road” for any chance of success, he’s speaking a truth that applies far beyond Middle-earth: Sometimes the right path is also the hardest one. In “The Fellowship of the Ring,” the option of taking a literal, physical well-worn path comes with almost certain risks of being seen and attacked. The “road unforeseen” will also have its dangers, but ultimately, hope often requires walking into uncertainty. It’s a somber but honest insight, reminding us that sometimes, victory can only come through struggle, sacrifice, and choosing what may seem, at first, mysterious or nearly impossible.
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