"I called to the other men that the sky was clearing, and then a moment later I realized that what I had seen was not a rift in the clouds but the white crest of an enormous wave"

This quote by Ernest Shackleton is a vivid description of a moment of hope and anguish. He had seen a rift in the clouds and called out to the other guys that the sky was clearing, just to recognize a minute later on that it was not a rift in the clouds but the white crest of a huge wave. This minute of awareness is an effective one, as it represents the fragility of hope in the face of threat. It is a reminder that even in the most alarming of scenarios, hope can be fleeting and can be taken away in an instant. It is a tip to remain watchful and to never ever take security for given. Shackleton's quote is a powerful reminder of the value of being gotten ready for the unexpected and to never let hope blind us from the reality of our scenario.