Spreading Love, Light & Joy – Do You Feel Called?

The holidays are upon us, and it can seem everywhere we turn we are surrounded by events and things that really are not meant to be part of this season, much less our life (chaos, fear, anxiety, consumerism, etc.).  These very real life events and circumstances that we are dealing with can be both difficult to explain and comprehend.  I’ve been contemplating it a lot over the last few weeks.  How can I make a difference, how can I effect change?

I was inspired by a documentary called “SlingShot” that I caught on Netflix.  It’s about Dean Kamen, the guy who invented the Segway and started FIRST, an organization that is working to put science and engineering in front of our youth.  One of his biggest contributions to this world is that he continues to work tirelessly to solve the world’s water crisis (converting dirty, disgusting water into clean and drinkable water).  Mr. Kamen has never ceased to be fascinated by our world.  He looks at it with curiosity and excitement that is more than refreshing.

Another profound approach of Mr. Kamen’s?  He does not seek to blame, he works to solve the problem.  Why?  Because we waste time when we look for someone to blame and we do not have time to waste.

We all have a CHOICE in how we present ourselves to the world, what kind of person we are, and how we treat others.  No, we cannot control the actions of others, but we can control our reaction.  Changing the world starts with YOU.  Don’t think so?  How does your attitude toward life shape that of your children?  How does your coworker’s bad day affect you if they choose to act out and snap at you for something else going on in their life?  What happens to your own state of being in that moment?  What about when someone cuts you off while you’re driving?  These are just the little things – obviously bigger actions can have a bigger impact. Our actions and our attitude have the potential to impact EVERYONE we come into contact with.  We ALL have choices in how we treat people and how we react when we interact with others.

What does the holiday season mean for YOU?  I can’t define that for you, nor do I want to.  I’m here to get you thinking about what matters to you.  For me, I am defining this season as spreading LOVE, LIGHT & JOY to others.  That is my mission and I challenge you to join me.

Sure, we will give gifts to our family and dear ones, and we will do it with love and in the spirit of giving.  But, the challenge is doing it with everyone I come into contact with.  It doesn’t have to be grand gestures. I’m talking more about being observant of others and noticing what someone needs.  Maybe someone is running late at the grocery store and only has a couple of items (maybe they don’t) – let them go first with a smile.  Buy a stranger coffee at Starbucks, or buy a meal for someone that is eating alone when you go out to eat (this is one of my favorites).  Just smile at someone as you walk by them on the street.  LISTEN to someone if they need to talk. You never know what someone else is fighting inside and you can make all the difference.

Share some LOVE and LIGHT not just this holiday season, but ALWAYS.  It is infectious and can spread exponentially! It starts with YOU!  I see so many asking what is this world coming to, commenting on how scary it is.  I do not disagree with you, these events have been unsettling.

But, I also encourage you to LOOK FOR THE GOOD in others, and just maybe your faith can be restored in humanity.

“Firm faith
is within the sincerity of one thought;
within the deep sincerity of one thought,
everything can be touched.”
~ Venerable Master Hsing Yun

May your holiday season be filled with love, light and joy, and all the people that matter most to you. May you spread to others what you wish to see in this world.  I encourage you to share your good deeds by posting.  It is not for the recognition or acknowledgement, but to inspire others to spread LOVE, LIGHT & JOY and so we can see that there really is goodness all around.