How Bright is Your Light?

According to my Mom, it becomes increasingly more common when you get older to hear more and more about the hardships and challenges people are facing. I tend to believe actually "hearing (i.e. listening to) about them" involves a few elements:

1. You are actually mature enough to empathize and feel compassion - not always easy when you're younger
2. You have a larger frame of reference from your own life experiences - which allows you to better empathise and feel compassion - 'cause we all need it. . .
3. You are no longer a self-centered little bitch (this always helps in nearly any circumstance)
4. See above.
5. You finally understand things are not always how they appear, your point of view is not the only one, and the human condition is something to be celebrated, supported, encouraged. . .(see also number 3).

Seems to me we suffer from a lot of "sensational, lofty, ideas" (I'm included in this - I could be the poster child). . .We fail on the follow up. Our execution could be spot on but our follow up is lousy.

For EXAMPLE: We do some fund raisers and support someone with cancer. We do it 110%. . . Whole heartedly, raise a couple grand. Then it appears the first battle in that war has been won and then we don't really support that individual again until we hear their electricity is about to be shut off because they can't afford their medical AND electric bills.

We fail on the follow up. We support folks until we feel "good" and then we go silently back to our complacent existence.

Folks on the street, folks with medical and mental health issues, folks who are suffering from dementia, folks who can't pay their bills, folks who suffer unspeakable acts, folks who are caught up in addiction, folks who are hungry, folks who are depressed, sad, lonely. . .

Please share your light with them. They could be your neighbor. They could be your best friend. You never know. . .

Share your light. Let it burn strong and unwavering. Make sure it's always on.

Maybe someday, you'll feel another's fire and you'll welcome it.

Keep your light bright.