Happy Mardi Gras! This is a fun day. A day to prepare for all the quiet and solitude that comes with the last few weeks of winter and the coming of spring or the coming of Easter. One thing we can never forget during this quiet time is hope. Hope is a great gift – it’s the beginning of faith. Even if I feel tired and drained or unappreciated hope can nourish me enough to suit-up and show-up. I’m going to use this day of fun to nourish my Hope.

Never Give Up Hope

“If there is one thing I’ve learned super heroing, it’s to expect the unexpected, and never give up hope.” - Scarlet Witch*

Wanda Maximoff and her brother Pietro Maximoff (Quicksilver) are the children of the mutant terrorist Magneto. They have had a hard time living with their father’s terrorist acts. At one time they helped in his terrorism. Eventually the two reformed and became heroes with the Avengers. However, Wanda’s abilities as the Scarlet Witch have had its toll on her. She has the mutant ability to affect probability. This power appears to be magic based, but it is within her mind. If she can think it, then it will happen. It’s taken her down a path of fear and doubt, anguish and despair. With the help from her friends and their desire to show her hope again – Wanda is the Scarlet Witch protecting the innocent.

There could be volumes written about the Scarlet Witch and her Brother Quicksilver – family issues, self-esteem, and the list is long. But today let’s look at Wanda’s power. The power to change probability is a GREAT power combined with hope that would be awesome. Hope is a power in its own way. But when combining hope with other ways of thinking we can change probability. We have all heard the words “A positive attitude will bring positive results.” Probability can be changed when we enter a situation with a positive attitude. President Barack Obama said in his campaign, "While We Breathe, We Will Hope". What great words. Hope does not fear, hope knows. Hope is faith in a new day. Hope knows things can be different. Hope is looking at the sun, the stars, the moon, the little night light in your child’s bedroom and knowing that every light has a spark of Hope. Keeping Hope in our hearts can change probability.

Scarlet Witch
First Appearance: X-Men #4 (March 1964)

First Appearance: (as a hero) Avengers #16 (May 1965)

Creators: Stan Lee (plot & script), and Jack Kirby (art)

*Avengers, volume 3, #81 June 2004