Making Your Own Light
Sometimes I forget that I don’t have to wait around for light— that I can actually manufacture my own with a little intentionality.
Scary national news due to impeachment divisiveness, the tragic death of an icon (and 9 others who were equally beloved to their friends and families) in a helicopter crash, my own dad in the hospital, and gray winter skies have all worked together to do a number on my heart this week. I have no doubt that you have reasons to feel the same.
What I’ve come to realize is that when I feel scared or down, the best way to lift my own spirits is try to life someone else’s.
All it took to start the process today was an $8 investment in a Chipotle bowl for the man behind me in line. I always get nervous before I try things like this because there’s no way to foretell how the person will react, but I do it anyway.
The cashier rang me up and told me that I made her day, as she held back tears. I think she needed to be reminded that we belong to one another as much as I did.
Next stop was the pharmacy where I had the chance to show kindness to the pharmacist assistant who made a mistake and thought I was someone else, asking me to enter a birth date for a prescription that wasn’t mine, but was, coincidentally, for my friend who I am often mistaken for. I reached out by text to tell my friend her prescription was ready, providing us both with yet another fun story about our mistaken identity.
I also ran into my daughter’s friend who was in town for a visit, gave her a hug and suggested we take a selfie together to send to her mom and my daughter, who also smiled over the fun run-in. And, lastly, I helped an older lady select a hairspray since she was overwhelmed by the many choices on the shelves. Her smile gave me a smile.
That’s it, really. No grand adventure to show and tell, just simple acts in the community that spread the belief that there is so much good and kindness out there if you step out and aren’t afraid to make the first move.
I hope you’ll make yours today.