“Hope is being able
to see that there is light
despite all of the darkness.” 
Desmond Tutu

Ernest Hemingway once wrote, “We are all broken. That’s how the light gets in.” It’s difficult to disagree on the brokenness part of his statement. We are human, therefore we are all, in some way, broken. And that’s okay.

I have always tried to maintain a positive outlook on life. Why shouldn’t I? When I was seventeen years old, I sustained an ankle injury which got infected. Not realizing the severity of the injury, I tried to conceal it from my parents, as I was scheduled to depart on June 24, 1971 for a summer of work in Jamaica and I didn’t want anything to jeopardize the trip. Fortunately, on June 17th, my mother notice that I was favoring my left ankle as I walked, and inquired about it. Reluctantly, I showed her the injury. Within hours, I was in isolation at Saint Mary’s Hospital in San Francisco where I remained for ten days. Upon hearing of my plans to go to Jamaica, the doctor informed us that if I had successfully hid the injury and departed as scheduled, there was a good chance that I would have lost either my leg or my life. 

Reflecting on that incident, as I have many times, I’ve realized that there is a purpose for my life, one which, at that time, I had not yet fulfilled.

Throughout my life, I have enjoyed many opportunities which have been presented to me. To be grateful, therefore, has not been much of a challenge for me. Sure, like anyone else, I’ve had some challenging times. There have been periods of my life when the dark clouds of despair or uncertainty have hovered above my head. Generally speaking, however, my life has been blessed with far more good times than bad.

In recent weeks (months?), those clouds have been present again. They haven’t been the type of low clouds which create a dense fog through which it has been difficult to see and function. Rather, they have been the type of clouds which effectively prevent the warm rays of light from reaching and nurturing my soul. Despite my desire to see the world around me Through the Lens of Gratitude, I have found it difficult to do so.

My purpose for creating A Beacon of Light was to shine a light of positivity and gratefulness in the world around me. Those who follow this blog may or may not have noticed that I’ve written very little in recent weeks. I’ve wanted to write, but I simply couldn’t. Given the struggles I was enduring, I found myself lacking the motivation and ability to write with the degree of positivity and integrity needed to inspire others. I needed someone or something to be the light for me.

Something happened today. Just as the clouds part after a rain storm and allow the sunlight to shine brightly on the land, I noticed a break in the darkness which had enveloped my life recently. For the first time in quite a while, I felt nourished by the warmth of the light I have so desperately missed. I have been savoring this feeling throughout the afternoon. I’m hopeful that I will wake up tomorrow morning to clear skies and brilliant light. Perhaps this will enable me to resume my writing — and continue to effectively share the positivity and gratitude which have been such pillars of strength in my life.

We can all look for ways to be the light for others.