Be The Light

 

Blog XIX

Vera Lenore

 

October 2024

 

“There are darknesses in life and there are lights, 

and you are one of the lights, the light of all lights.”

Bram Stoker

1847-1912

 

As you venture out to go to work, run errands or simply seek out a refuge, you are bound to come in contact with other people. Some of them shine, others seem lost and still others are like the walking dead. What is it that differentiates the optimist from the pessimist? Where is the line that is crossed from enlightenment into an abyss of drudgery? Is it nature or nurture?

One thing is for sure, we are allotted only a specific amount of time on this Earth and whether it is innate or not, we still have the ability to choose our attitude and actions toward life with all its messy configurations and confounding situations.

 

When you’ve been around for a few years, you begin to understand that most of the problems we face are nothing more than an opportunity to trust the process and confront the challenges with grace and integrity. To rise above and find solace in the fact that our difficulties are just a learning curve. We are like metal being forged in the fire of our perceived reality.

 

I certainly can attest to the fact that some of the most difficult times have always had a lesson or brought in an unexpected person to shine a light on the hardship. As an example…when I was 12 years old my parents decided to move to another town. This news was met with both exhilaration and dread. As a shy, introverted child, I had only one friend who ended up moving away, leaving me to fend for myself. The children were often cruel and I found myself being the target of their hostility. The bullying had taken its toll on me and I was ready for a change but the unknown was just as foreboding. A new school, new kids and what was that going to be like? I fretted over the “goo goo eyes” I would encounter and if it could go from bad to worse. 

I made a vow that I would not be the timid mouse I had been. I would reinvent myself and become outgoing, friendly and above all kind. This was to be my metamorphosis. The butterfly was about to emerge. The first days were full of anticipation and I thought, “This is going to work out great!”, as I was given a tour and met with nice kids who were more than helpful in getting me settled in. Then, one startling day, the class clown was looking for some laughs and I was to be his prey. He went into my locker and took off a pin I had on my coat. We were all milling around the classroom waiting for the teacher to arrive when he burst in waving my pin in the air, and then promptly threw it in the trash. Flashbacks from my time as the caterpillar came rushing into my mind. I knew I couldn’t go in the trash to fish it out. That would send an uproar of laughter at my expense so I stood there frozen, unable to even speak. This was an unmitigated disaster and I found myself regressing into the victim mentality. As my heart sank deeper into my stomach and the lump in my throat was choking me, an unexpected hero was born. He was the cutest, and most popular guy in class. All the girls had a crush on him and I was sure he didn’t even know I existed. At the time he had one arm in a cast but, with his one good arm, he went into the trash can, pulled out my pin, and gave it to me. The room went silent and I managed to squeak out, “Thank you.”  Without a word, this boy sent a message to the clown and others that I was not to be bullied and that pivotal moment made every difference in my teen years, and beyond. I became more confident and more secure because a young man did the right thing. His light dispelled the dark fear I had been living in. 

 

Now, in all the years since, I’m sure he has never given it a second thought. We went about our school year and the next and the next and, I suppose, it was not something out of the ordinary for him, but for me…he made all the difference. Thank you Alan…wherever you are.

 

Our mission in life is not to get ahead and supersede others but to uplift and encourage the people around us. It is easy when it comes to loved ones, we support and nurture them throughout our lives. Everyday we come into contact with many folks who may be battling some difficulties and in need of some reassurance or recognition. Make it a point to compliment or interact with at least one person (or more) everyday. Go out of your way to say something kind to a stranger. We are the light in the world and can make a profound difference.

 

Until Next Time…Be Well My Friends