BE A LIGHT

I don’t think anyone would argue with the fact that we live in a broken world where things don’t always go the way we planned. We may know in our head that we shouldn’t embrace lies, think negative thoughts, or speak hurtful words, but like the famous quote, “everyone has a plan until they get hit.” We are all leaky vessels who need regular reminders of the truth when we temporarily lose our way. Why? We have the unfortunate tendency to forget in the dark what we learned in the light.

Knowing this, we need to be that light for others by reminding them what is good, what is true, and what is beneficial. Amplify positive thoughts by speaking them out loud. Believe in people so much that they begin to believe in themselves. At the same time, we need to fight the lies that may have been thrown at them, which in turn would cause them to speak untruthful words to others because hurt people, hurt people. When we shine light on the lies that are holding them captive, the darkness has no choice but to flee.

Speaking of light, we can all be very thankful for the mother of Thomas Edison, the man who invented the lightbulb. She chose to shine by fighting the lies directed at her son. According to a U.S. Library of Congress biography of Edison, he was labeled “addled” (which means confused or distracted) by a school administrator, which led his furious mother to remove him from school and teach him at home. Many years later, Edison said, “My mother was the making of me. She was so true, so sure of me, I felt I had someone to live for, someone I must not disappoint.” 

Edison’s accomplishments, starting at an early age, prove the power of another person’s words and actions. His mother’s ability to see the light that shined in Edison has benefitted the entire world. She refused to shake hands with the lie that Edison was addled and instead planted words of life and encouragement into her son. Edison never heard the negative comments directed at him because his mother intercepted them. She chose to overpower the darkness of lies with the light of truth. Because of her, this world is a much brighter place.

THINK ON THIS

When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.