The energy of despair is an expression that describes the incredible strength we can draw from in extreme situations, when all seems lost or when we are faced with an emergency that leaves us with no choice but to fight or survive. It symbolises a kind of last inner spark that awakens in the face of distress, an energy drawn from deep within, often surprising and unexpected, that enables us to do the unthinkable to escape a difficult situation. In our daily lives, we are confronted by unexpected situations that desperately try to undermine our emotional stability, kill our enthusiasm and weaken our will to achieve greatness and success.

These situations can be the loss of a loved one, poverty, illness, missed opportunities, bankruptcy, daily frustrations or simply our lack of awareness and knowledge. In these conditions, we are intoxicated by one thing alone: a disgust with life, a lack of any fighting spirit to regain our inner serenity. How, despite all this emotional flogging, can we find a way to smile again and rekindle the passion we once had for life? It turns out that we all have a reserve of hope that we must never lose. This reserve is the energy of despair; a form of last resort or last attempt at survival. It's usually under these conditions that you hear people say "give it your all".

In psychology, the energy of despair can be linked to resilience or the survival mechanisms that our mind and body activate in moments of intense crisis. When faced with an insurmountable challenge, this energy can mobilise all the inner resources we didn't know we had. It is a striking example of the power of the human spirit, capable of bringing out unsuspected strength in the midst of adversity. In literature and film, this energy is often portrayed in characters who, despite extreme situations, manage to surpass their limits. For example, heroes faced with perilous situations, stories of survival or the struggle against adversity use this concept to show how characters rise up in the face of despair. It also shows us how moments of despair, although dark and intense, can sometimes become stepping stones towards the discovery of new strengths, new horizons and new potential.

The energy of despair reminds us of the importance of perseverance and the human capacity to transcend limitations, even at times when all seems lost. Because we need to inspire courage in those who are suffering, to breathe a wind of resilience into those who are going through difficult times, one man has made this a way of life, a vocation. This is Dr Raoul Ruben, who, as part of his ongoing programme, held an extraordinary conference in Libreville, Gabon, on Saturday 02 November, against a backdrop of themes such as leadership, personal growth, finance, power, business in the context of our era, the family and many other subjects relating to self-improvement and the quest for well-being. In his own unique style of communication, he knows how to use imagery to support his ideas and make them accessible to everyone. As his audience is made up of people from all walks of life, he knows how to focus on the meaning of the message rather than the meaning of the expressions.

At the helm of Academy Twenty One, a global organisation, you need a certain amount of verbal and mental flexibility to successfully manage the decisions that will guarantee the expansion and flourishing of this futuristic community. In the good-natured atmosphere that is a feature of his speeches, he added to his communication by sharing the experiences of some of the leaders of this community.

In the good-natured atmosphere that is a hallmark of his speeches, he added to his talk by sharing the experiences of some of the community's leaders, who are living testimony to a life of service, resilience and, above all, daring and never giving up. They praised their humble beginnings, to show that abundance is built like an edifice, brick by brick. Dr Raoul Ruben gave a masterly presentation on the 16 MAJOR PRINCIPLES OF A21, which, far from being mere statements, form the backbone or cornerstone of this organisation. What we need to remember about these kinds of events is that they are triggering moments that lead us to deeply question and challenge our existence and its fruitless routines. These inspiring events lead us to discover a much-neglected value: opportunity. And without wishing to clutter up his definition with too many fanciful expressions, Dr Raoul pointed out that an opportunity is the fact of being in the right place at the right time, which gave his talk a whole new colouring, and the audience applauded to conclude that this great mass of personal development was in principle a great opportunity for the people of Gabon. 

The locomotive is on the move, and the new destination is Togo.