“It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness” – Chinese saying
There is no doubt that there is a glorification of misery in our world today. Many mornings as I walk past the local shop I see the glorification of misery emblazened all over newspapers and magazines. Yesterday one newspaper, which is choosing to attack one well known person, had as its headline “Big Fat Pig“! Â I then listen to the radio and every miserable story you can imagine about the latest so called disaster to hit the world, is broadcast in a belief that we are all innocent victims of this miserable world!!!
The good news of course is that no matter what disaster has hit the world, man made or otherwise since Adam and Eve eat the apple, we’re still here! Not only are we still here, we’re still evolving, learning, growing, reproducing, eating, drinking, laughing, celebrating and much more. And I believe there is more love in the world. Not only is there more love but each of us can make sure that by the time we go to sleep tonight there will be even more. So here’s 7 ways to “light a candle in your day”
1. Be Still to Start Your Day – Before getting caught up in the busyness of the day, take 5 minutes to sit and “tune into” your day. Go somewhere in your house, your garden, your locality where you can simply sit and be still for 5 minutes. Realise that what lies before you is like a painters canvass and that you’re being offered a palette to create your painting for the day. Create a masterpiece!
2. Inspire yourself – listen to your favourite music, read your favourite books, watch your favourite movie. Whatever inspires you fill your mind and heart with it, particularly at the beginning of the day.
3. Inspire others - as you go about your day send your blessings/positive feelings towards those you meet – family, friends, strangers and most of all so called “enemies”. In Ireland there is an old saying when you meet someone which says “Dia dhuit” (which means God be with you). When you say it to someone, Â that person would then respond by saying to you “Dia is Muire dhuit” (which means God and Mary be with you). How would you like to greet people today?
4. Offer someone a seat – have you ever been on a bus when its busy and given someone your seat? Sometimes we sit and wait, afraid that they may say “no thanks” and we’ll be rejected and sometimes then its too late. But if you ever have given someone a seat, how has it made you feel? Doesn’t it make us feel good? Be generous with people and always remember no matter how “bad” things are perceived to be, we always have something to give to others. Afterall a smile costs nothing.
5. Exercise – exercise as we all know is great! It fills our body with fresh oxygen, it puts roses on our cheeks, it makes us feel fully alive. No matter what your level of fitness find at least 20 minutes in your day to walk, run, swim, play tennis, cycle or whatever. Just do it!
6. Reclaim Your Power to Better Yourself and the World - there is such an emphasis on putting people down much of the time, in particular blaming people for what is wrong in our lives and our world. What if these people we blame are actually the source of our salvation? Who knows maybe everything is exactly the way it’s supposed to be in order for us to learn what we need to learn in this lifetime? Once we open ourselves to the possibility that this just might be true, we reconnect with our power to change things for the better. And when we change for the better the world changes for the better.
7. Do what you Love - some say we’re being selfish if we’re off doing what we love. This has to be one of the craziest beliefs in the world! I say it’s far more selfish to do what we hate and feel justified to be miserable because of it. Every day invest time in nourishing what you love. If you love gardening, spend time in your garden. If you love writing, write. If you love music, listen, play, create it! If you love being with your kids, be with them in mind, body and spirit. Whatever you love nourish it. Notice that as you do you connect with that wonderful loving part of yourself and thus are a far more loving person to be with. And as you lay to sleep at night you know there’s more love in the world because of you.
Create Your Masterpiece!
Sean M Kelly
PS: If you’d like to comment on this article simple click “continue reading” below
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you!
Three ways to help my soul adjust before meeting anyone in the morning:
1. I do not get out of bed without relaxing and focusing on the inner self and on the blessings of the Lord and relaxing in the Spirit for a while.
2. I saw a copy of the Glenstall Book of Daily Prayer recently much reduced in a closing down book shop, bought it, and try to get the lauds said / read in the mornings early, before starting on the early morning jobs (and occasionally vespers in the evenings).
3. I deliberately put on a CD of the Rosary early in the morning while doing the kitchen chores; although I fail to focus on the prayers most of the time, it keeps me company without the interference, manipulation, negativity and gloom of the media i.e. radio; I only listen to the radio later – so as to keep abreast of the world outside (and to have some items of conversations later with husband in the car).
Just thought I would share this in the hope that some of it just may help someone else!
Máire
An excellent piece .
Thats brilliant Máire and thanks a million for taking the time to share your wisdom.
Best wishes
Sean
Hi Maire,
Hope all is well and comments like these always help make it worthwhile to write regular inspirational articles, etc so thanks a million for taking the time to comment.
Very best wishes
Sean
Very nice thoughts/ideas, Sean, and thanks also, Maire, for sharing. Can I also suggest reading poetry aloud rather than reading it silently; it’s very soothing, relaxing and uplifting! I do it!
Hi Roibeard,
Always good to hear from you, thanks for your comment.
If you have an inspirational poem you’d like to share sometime on the Be Inspired website just let me know
Best wishes
Sean