The power of hope: How Star Wars can change our lives

Hope is evident throughout the Star Wars saga

From the moment we hear Leia tell Obi-Wan that he is her “only hope”, to Luke throwing away his lightsaber and believing in the redemption of his father, the theme of hope is a central one throughout the original trilogy. Here’s how we can find hope in Star Wars and apply it to our own lives.

Hope for change  

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Leia has hope that the Empire will be overthrown, Luke that he will find his place in the galaxy, Obi-Wan that the Jedi can once again be a force for good. All the main heroes in the Original Trilogy have hope that things will change for the better.

It’s a powerful message, especially when we see the fulfillment of all these characters’ hopes. Leia helps bring peace to the galaxy, Luke makes his mark on it, and Obi-Wan helps raise a new generation of Jedi.

In all these cases, the characters take action to fulfill their hopes, and this is a lesson we can apply to our own lives. Whatever our hopes and dreams, they will not be achieved without independent action.

The Force may guide our destiny, but it is up to us to achieve it.

Hope in others  

As well as taking the initiative, characters in the original trilogy always have hope that others will help them in fulfilling their dreams.

We see this in Leia and Luke’s faith that Han will join the fight and Obi Wan’s commitment that Luke can bring peace to the galaxy. Perhaps more powerfully, we see it in Luke’s hope that his father will turn from the dark side.

In all these cases, this hope in others is fulfilled; Han, Luke, and eventually Anakin all witness the unerring hope and faith that others have in them, which inspires them to act for the better.

It’s a lesson that applies to our lives, too. By having faith in others, we inspire them to act for good and to help us achieve our hopes and dreams.

Hope as permanent  

The most powerful idea conveyed by the original trilogy is that no matter how bad things get, hope is a force that always remains and can always be a force for good.

We see this at the end of The Empire Strikes Back, when, after being beaten down and having lost their closest friend, Luke, Leia, and the droids stare out at the galaxy that they want to change, a look of hope on their faces.

What’s more, Lando and Chewie have immediately gone out to try and find Han.

In the face of the direst of circumstances, they all still have hope. And this never-ending hope bears fruit, when we see Han saved in Return of the Jedi, and when the Empire is finally overthrown.

It’s the most powerful lesson in all of Star Wars. The idea that, no matter how dire things get, hope remains as an anchor in our lives and as a catalyst for change.

Hope is always there and it drives action which helps us to achieve our dreams, in Star Wars as in real life.

The Original Trilogy is now available to stream on Disney+.