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Shining

22 Dec

Life is full of ups and downs. We have successes and disappointments, good days and bad days, and sometimes if things have been going wrong for a while, we may feel heavy and dark. We have low periods where we feel out of sorts, and disconnected. We know that given time they will pass and we’ll be back in the sunshine again, but as the time lingers we can feel lost, and apart from those around us. During those times we gain strength from those who are bright and positive. When they smile at us we feel lifted, and when they listen we feel cared for. It’s a great blessing to receive when things aren’t going well and we are beset with concern. It’s said that recent studies show the human eye can see a small candle flame from over a mile away. The tiniest light can be seen from a great distance. When we’re overwhelmed and discouraged, we can feel far away. When we see light from someone else and feel it shine on us, we feel comforted. Everyone struggles from time to time and if we choose to, we can be that light and shine compassion and support on those around us. We’re all more connected than we realize. Being a light is the best we can offer.

In the winter if there is snow and ice, slush and mud, the headlamps on our cars can get coated over and over as we drive along. After a while we notice they aren’t working as well as they did, and take a look. When we see the dirt covering them it’s an easy task to wipe it away and let the bright light come through again. Our lives are like that in some ways. We face trials and challenges, and we struggle sometimes to find our way. Everything we face leaves an impact on us and if things have been hard for a while, we may feel dull and muted from the experience. If someone comes along and shares with us, listens to our concerns, and shows care for our well being, it’s like they wipe some of that away and we are able to feel a little brighter. The care of others in our lives can be the salve that heals our wounds, and the bandage that soothes our discomfort.

When things are going well for us, we can be the ones to shine. There is always someone who needs a friend and if we reach out we can make a difference for them. When we’re discouraged and feel bad, we often feel alone in our pain. We sometimes think nobody could understand how we feel so we keep it to ourselves. But we all go through difficult times and know what it’s like to suffer. If we can extend ourselves when we see someone who seems sad or unhappy, if we say hello and ask how they are and really listen, if we stop walking by and stay for just a moment, we may make a heartache more bearable, and brighten a day. We have the power to show we care. We have the power to let our light shine and help heal those around us. It’s a great gift and the more we share it the stronger it gets.

Today if things are going well, share with those around you. See those who are troubled and offer a listening ear and a kind word. You have a lot of light inside you and power to help heal those in need. Reach out, extend yourself, and let it shine. You have so much to give and you can make your world a brighter place. Today be the beacon. You have the power to change a life and make someone feel happy. Use that power today and be the light we all need.

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Finding Fault

12 Dec

We all make judgments in our lives. We decide what we think is right and wrong, and what is true or false. We base our judgments on our personal paradigms and values, and what we perceive as facts. We make judgments about situations and decisions, but we also include people in those judgments even when we don’t have all the facts. And we never have all the facts when others are involved. Unless we are the ones in the situation we’re judging, chances are good our speculation will be erroneous in some way. Judging and comparing are natural human responses to life. We evaluate each situation before we go forward. But loving one another and having compassion for each other doesn’t involve judging. When we love and care we can do it unconditionally. We can love each another even if we’re very different, even if we don’t understand decisions that have been made, and even if we are annoyed. Love and compassion are the highest emotions we can express, and take precedence over everything else. We can forget that when someone does something hurtful, or stupid, or whatever else we think applies. Love and compassion are higher, and they need to be honored as such.

People make mistakes. Some of us make more than others, and sometimes we falter in a huge way. We impact others with our decisions, and sometimes we hurt them badly. Nobody is perfect, and even if we’re trying hard to do what’s right, we may stumble. Having the unconditional support and love of others around us when we fall is priceless. We already know we’ve screwed up, we already know we were wrong, and we really don’t need someone else pointing it out and reminding us. But everyone does that, we all criticize sometimes when things go wrong, and all it really accomplishes is to make those involved feel worse. If we were more compassionate, if we treated others the way we would like them to treat us in the same situation, it would go a long way toward finding resolution. We could talk about it, listen openly, express our feelings, and then let it go.

What if someone makes a very bad decision that really damages us? What if we’re so angry we feel like we want to crush them? Those situations happen and when they do it’s very difficult to think before we act. But we need to stop and consider what we’ll gain afterward. If we make them feel as bad as they made us feel, where will that take us? Will it make things better or worse? If we take a moment to think about the big picture and where we want to be, if we ponder where we want the relationship to go before we act, we have a better chance of making things better. Some decisions are so egregious they destroy relationships completely. When that happens, anger and outrage will do nothing to help. But if there is a bad decision that isn’t so far reaching and we want to preserve our relationship, we can remember our love and compassion for the other person is higher than our anger and disappointment. We don’t have to condone bad behavior, but adding ours to it won’t solve anything. We can reach higher, and go forward with confidence.

Today if you’ve been judging those around you and making decisions about their behavior, try to see things from a wider perspective. If you love and accept them as they are, your relationships will be stronger and more fulfilling. Show them your heart, share your concern for them and they will draw closer to you. Having close, strong relationships makes our lives better. Enhance yours by building them today.

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Full Stop

29 Sep

Recently there was a story in the news about a young fast food worker who did something extraordinary.  During the dinner rush, a man came into the restaurant that was paralyzed and in a wheelchair.  After placing his order, he told the worker he needed help cutting his food up and eating it.  The worker got the man’s food, immediately closed out his register, and walked him to a table where he sat with him, cut his food for him, and helped him eat his meal.  Despite being busy, he saw a need and instead of brushing it off, he stopped everything to help.  It was a stunning example of compassion and generosity, and it was humbling for those around them to see the worker’s example.

Sometimes in order to help out, we have to bring our personal lives to a full stop.  We have to take our eyes off ourselves and our personal goals, and look another way.  We have to see those around us, notice what’s happening, and assist when we can.  Unlike the patron at the restaurant, the person in need may not ask us for help.  They may independently try to struggle through on their own.  But that shouldn’t stop us from offering.  If we see someone trying hard, struggling to do something, we can jump in, smile and offer a helping hand.  Everyone appreciates the kindness that comes when someone offers to help.  We all have a lot to get done, and some things are hard for all of us.  If we can extend ourselves in some small way to help someone else, we will be greatly blessed.  We will have a better understanding of compassion, feel humble for the opportunity to serve, and happy we extended ourselves.

Every day we have an opportunity to serve those around us.  Of course, if we choose to we can ignore the needs of others, and continue on our course.  Nobody would blame us for getting our jobs done and being focused on our personal goals.  But if we stopped to help and offered our time when the opportunity arose, and tried to assist and accommodate someone else, our experiences in this life would be enhanced and benefitted.  There is nothing that will teach us more about ourselves than when we are in the service of others.  We learn to be more patient, more kind, more gracious, and we become more noble.  It’s great to be successful in our goals, but it’s even better to be successful as people.  And we achieve no greater success than when we help someone else.

Today if you see someone in need, someone struggling alone, stop for a moment and offer your help.  Lift them by giving your assistance and showing you care.  You have great generosity inside you.  Share it with those around you.  Offer your hand, offer your time, and enjoy the gratitude you feel for the opportunity to help.  Make someone’s day easier and your day will be brighter and happier.

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