I overheard more than once many people with slowing and challenging economic times saying they were going to cut back on their decorations for the holiday season. While on the surface this seems practical I would relate to them from a past severe financial difficulty I went through, that lighting one candle provided me great hope for the future.
Why? Because
One Candle Casts Out The Darkness.
Darkness, and being downtrodden can not fight the power, the LIGHT of even one candle. Your candle is your spirt, your hope, your promise for a better tomorrow. The year that I went through this enormous struggle I decked out my front yard with lights. The heck wiith the electric bill. It felt so good.
I was on a mission of hope.
And you know what?
Things got better eventually. I knew they would. I not only lit up the world with my candle. I kept that candle inside of me burning brightly.
I have seen lives transformed by giving your light to others. It warms the heart of man.
So this holiday season, think twice before severely cutting back on decorations, especially anything involving light. It is the season of light, and we need all the light in our lives we can get.
Darkness cannot withstand the light of love.
Hi Gary.
What did you do before real estate? Your posts are always very nice.
Calming too.
Thanks for writing,
Ken
I believe for every drop of rain that falls
A flower grows
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night
A candle glows
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC6S20cBAsk
Ken: Prior to real estate, Engineering, Technical Sales, Management, but I have always loved to write. No I haven't been a minister, priest, life coach, but view myself more like an adventurer in life.
Susan: You find the best songs dear friend. You just can't beat that voice. So angelic. Wonderful xxoo.
Beautiful..... thanks for this inspiration. I have been dreading the holiday decorations....but this made my heart warm. Perhaps I will get the home all trimmed with light.
Wow! What a beautiful post! It certainly made me re-think how my Christmas decorations may serve as a light to others. Thanks!
Christine: Don't dread the decorations. Embrace them as SYMBOLS of JOY!!! All the lights I put out in front of my house made me EXTREMELY happy despite very tough circumstances.
Lisa: The light shows others you are filled with a good spirit.
Gary, your constant brightness lights up the RAINworld like a Christmas tree...THANK YOU! And where does the darkness go??? It was NOTHING but the absence of light... Light is all we have...and Love is all we need. ;-)
Gary - Christmas is one event I won't cut back on. Remember the Grinch? ANd, how his heart grew on Christmas day when he saw the spirit of Hooville? I think everybody's heart grows bigger on Christmas day! I could never NOT decorate, but maybe I'll kill the lights earlier this year.
Gary, You always put such a beautiful spin on life. I agree with you about decorating. I love the holidays, no matter where I am in life. Always have, always will. In fact, I just put up one of my Christmas tree's tonight. One down 3 to go! Just watching the lights on the tree's brings me joy.
I've really never been one to decorate very much for any holiday, but my wife had our entire home looking like a haunted house for Halloween. She's threatening further adventures for Christmas.
Mara: I love your thought that darkness is nothing. You always teach me.
Carol: I love that Grinch story. Turning the lights off earlier is a great cost saving compromise.
Pat: Love those Christmas songs Silent Night and Silver Bells. A light is a sign of hope and love.
Elizabeth: You are doing GREAT with those Christmas trees.
JL: Your wife will keep that candle burning bright at your house. Enjoy!!
You must be psychic....my husband and I were just discussing what to do about the decorations this year! We were talking about cutting back....you changed my mind!
Gary,
What can I say, absolutely beautiful...
As usual...right on time and beautifully delivered. You are a GIFT and a LIGHT! GBU~
This is true in so many ways!
I'm waiting for my book! : )
Love to rendezvous with you early in the morning! You start my day off SO WELL!! Love the lights of Christmas, and finding someone to light my fire (I mean candle of course!).
Gary,
I needed to hear read this this morning. Thank you for the uplifting message my friend. I can always count on you for a bright spot in my day.
Hi Gary: My son is going through a really bad year and so what hurts him also hurts me. We plan to deck out his house in all it's glory this wonderful Christmas and keep faith that he will have much better days ahead. You're post is so perfect for what my son and I are feeling these days.
Gary...how right you are. I too went through some severe finacial times, nad it always seams the darkest before the dawn. We didn't cut back on the decorations, but cut back a little on the amount of time they were lit and always kept some of them on!
Gary ~ Once again, another BEAUTIFUL post! Thanks for the loving reminder of our "light" and extending it out into the world. My candle is buring today.
Renee
Gary, your wonderful giving spirit shines through. I am still around, down but not out! Thank you for this uplifting post and let me Re-posted in my blog... It is to beautiful
Joan: Don't cut back, other than maybe turning the lights off earlier. Be a light out to the world. It will make you feel so good.
Linda: Thanks. You are a stunningly bright light here.
Elizabeth Nieves: You are a gift to all of us in the Rain as well.
Pam: You need to find me my agent for the book. An autographed copy goes to you.
Susie: Still searching for that cowboy with the boots on the floor? Love it. You can't fool me with that light you are looking for!!
Don: Thanks for popping by as always.
Donna: Glad your son and you will deck out the house. Having been through that "bottom" before myself you will be amazed what all that light will do for you. It will lift you up. God Bless You All.
Pat: You are not nuts. But isn't that your picture in the dictionary next to the word "quirky?" Just kidding. You are enthusiastic to the max in all you put your effort into.
William: Great compromise on the cost of the illumination.
Renee Parker: Glad YOUR light is burning bright.
Arina: Thanks for the re-blog. You sure are special.
Hi Gary.
That is a good thing to be in life.
Ken
Gary - That is truly poetic. I love this post...the words are so true.
Gary thanks againg for another bright and uplifting post. I can find motivation daily with your blog.
GARY Keeping that candle lit does it everytime. That little glimmer of hope is all it takes most of the time.