We can learn more about life and hope from Chicago

It has been rightly said that travel is an education in itself. I have recently landed in Chicago for my summer holidays and I have learnt that the history of this US city has a big lesson for this world. A lesson to make us positive and learn that one should never give up in life despite all the challenges or failures.

It was in the year 1871 when a grand fire disaster destroyed Chicago. Many lost their loved ones and those who survived were both homeless and jobless, but despite this, the city and its people never lost hope and instead of mourning over this tragedy used it as a big opportunity.

Leading architects of the world were roped in to bring the city back to life. With sheer enthusiasm and zeal, by 1875 they gave the city a new life. So, instead of wooden homes and buildings, the city had a brand new look as it was flooded with modern buildings, including several sky scrapers made of glass and steel and today the city is known the world over for its great architecture.

Interestingly, leading architects also regularly come here for architecture tours.

Had the city lost its hope, Chicago would have never been as great as it is today. We also face many hurdles in our life and tragedies that often take away all our verve, making us pessimistic. But we often forget that ups and downs are a part of life and the real failure is when we give up all hope and decide not to move on.

Nothing is impossible to achieve and if we adopt the attitude of never giving up and moving on from our failures with more audaciousness, we can become what we wish to be. Let’s learn from Chicago that clearly teaches not to despair in adversity and never ever give up.

(Inner Voice comprises contributions from our readers. The views expressed are personal.)