Guiding Light…
“Sometimes amidst all of the wars, all you need to become is the lighthouse, not the sword.” —Akshay Vasu
With so much coming at us in the news and in our lives these days, knowing and seeking out our guiding lights can be the blessing we need to save us from despair, anxious thoughts, or angry reactions.
The other day I found myself gazing intently at an image of a lighthouse on my refrigerator door. In addition to fond memories of a trip, it brought me needed peace.
From inspiring quotes and memories to acts of kindness or service, there are many possible sources of light to guide you safely forward.
“…I hold this question as a guiding light: ‘What do I really need right now to be happy?’ What I come to over and over again is that only qualities as vast and deep as love, connection and kindness will really make me happy in any sort of enduring way.”
― Sharon Salzberg
If the word ‘happy’ feels too frivolous to you right now, substitute “to be of greatest service” or “to be at peace” in Sharon Salzberg’s wise quote above. You might find her call for love, connection, and kindness is just as worthy a response.
I’m reminded of wisdom that seems to appear on the computer screen or in my memory whenever I start down the path towards intense anger or hatred for perpetrators of violence or fear-mongering these days:
“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
― Martin Luther King, Jr.
May you find the guiding lights that bring you safely home to the love, peace, and light in your heart. And may you in turn shine that light as a beacon to others.
Brave Enough to See It
“There is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” —Amanda Gorman
Giving You Courage
“When love is our guiding light, we can break through barriers to be of loving service to the world. Gaining the courage and confidence to stand up for what you believe in is not always easy, but it’s fully within your reach.” ―Marianne Williamson
Blessed Are You Who Bear The Light
Blessed are you
who bear the light
in unbearable times,
who testify
to its endurance
amid the unendurable,
who bear witness
to its persistence
when everything seems
in shadow
and grief.
Blessed are you
in whom
the light lives,
in whom
the brightness blazes—
your heart
a chapel,
an altar where
in the deepest night
can be seen
the fire that
shines forth in you
in unaccountable faith,
in stubborn hope,
in love that illumines
every broken thing
it finds.
―Jan Richardson, Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons.
Note: Save the Date! Jan Richardson will be back with us, via Zoom, on Wednesday evening, November 19th. Details coming soon.
