"People are like stained - glass windows. They sparkle and
shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in; their true beauty is
revealed only if there is a light from within." Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
“When the lights go down”…. Yes,
I know that song pops into my mind, and the lights did go down in the city. However, what happens when you are left
in the dark unexpectedly? You knew a storm was coming and then it knocks out your power.
What is the first thing you do? Reach for the light switch because it is out of
habit, then you look for the candle in the dark.
Who doesn’t love candles? The
aroma it provides is very relaxing. What better way to enjoy a nice relaxing
bubble bath with candles. Playing soft relaxing music is like a self-homemade
spa. Aw, the sure joy of relaxing with no interruptions. Wow, yes I am awake! I better finish this blog, so I can go and relax! Now, where was I?
Someone asked me for my opinion about a mother daughter retreat that she would like to do for her church. I
pondered over the thought and it occurred to me to have the title: “My
Little Mirror; What Am I Reflecting.” My thought processes reflected
upon parental influences on children; then what the children reflect about
their parents.
Sometimes the heart sees what is
invisible to the eye”-- H Jackson Brown, JR
I believe we shine as candles
and it doesn’t matter if we are a parent or not. How our light shines is
dependent upon how we view ourselves. Sometimes we can try to hide our light out of fear of how others view us. For some their lights are dimmer because they are
afraid to be confident. One candle can shine light, but put a mirror behind it
and it illuminates brighter. It takes a mirror (a friend) to help us to shine brighter.
Our light reflects who we are.
If we think the world is a bleak
place, then we will visualize it as a bleak place and our thoughts reflect a
dim light about us. If we visualize the world to be wonderful, despite the
flaws, then we will visualize it as wonderful. Our thoughts will reflect a
bright light despite the world trying to snuff it out.
Fire needs resources to remain
lit. Air, oxygen and the right fuel source to keep it burning. What are you
doing to fuel your needs? Do you have that one person, who can stoke your fire?
She sat in my office and her
affect was flat. Anxious tears flowed down her cheek. Lost in a dark cruel
world it seemed and she tried to snuff out her own light. “I tried to cry out for
help, but no one will listen” she stated. I pondered over that statement. How
many more people are like her out in this world crying for help and no one
wants to stoke the fire to keep the flame burning?
Problems are like water to the
fire. They try to put you out. I’ve been there and know that sometimes it can
be like a tidal wave. It is difficult to prepare and embrace for such impact.
How do I keep my fire burning?
Some people
believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However,
there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and
then do it. - Ann Landers
If you can
hold on to your past, when will you let go, in order for you to know there
is a future? When you think about letting go of the past, it is like cleaning a
cluttered room and it opens up a new fresh perspective of filling the space
with something new. Letting go means to work through those difficult thoughts
and emotions, the fears and disappointments, which suffocates the oxygen to the
flame. It is a conscious effort to find a place to fuel your flame.
To stoke
your flame means you can’t wait for the perfect moment to occur. Fear of
stepping or doing something different takes faith of letting go and dare to
accomplish something different, because the candle (life) is too brief to speculate
what could have been.
I had to
learn the most rewarding time in my life is when I took the courage to let go
of what I couldn’t change and changed what I had control over. My thoughts!
When my thoughts came, I took action and when I took action, my light shined
brighter. Well, here I am and I pray my light is shinning in your life this very moment through
these words.
Take heart
and know there are people who do care. You are important and your life is worth
living. If you feel being snuffed out by others, then it is time to find that
relationship, someone you can fully trust in knowing they will take care of
your flame. How is your light doing? When you fear a loving heartfelt relationship, then it is time to leave the contentment and find a better source of fuel to your fire.
Be a positive reflecting light by captivating those negative thoughts. Find different fuel sources, which will sustain your flame in order for you not to feel suffocated. Write out your thoughts and feelings and see what is keeping your light from burning brighter. A toxic relationship, a hurtful past, are things which will stop you from living a bright life of which the Creator intended for you to live.
By faith we put it on His anvil to change us!
