Learn To Be A Light

One of the most important things I've learned in life, is that being a light to others is far more important than your own personal circumstances. No matter how bad life gets, or how damaged you may feel, you can always take time to be a blessing to someone.

I recall going through a very tough time in life (one of many), where I would look forward to go to the gym just to see the old man who worked there. Many times, he was the only reason I would get out of bed. His memory wasn't the best, and he would tell and re-tell me the same stories over and over again, but he was a calming presence, always greeting me with a hug and a joke (that he already had told me)! His smile and hugs helped me more than I could ever explain. Not knowing his impact on my life, he was blessing me with his kind heart and stories of his youthful misdeeds. He made my life feel normal for the ten minutes (or 2 hours)

each day we spent talking.

In the world today, we are so used to staying in our own lane, that we fail to see the people around us. People need people. People need to feel like someone cares. Many people don't have a support system. Many people go about life thinking about how to just get through the day. Many people have trouble having hope. In these trying times, I cannot stress enough, how impactful a kind word, a warm smile, a lending ear, or a helping hand can mean. It can literally be a matter of life or death for some.

Years ago, on a trip to the grocery store, I saw a man staring at frozen food with his head between the open door and the cold products. My heart said to talk to him, so I did. "Are you okay, sir?"was all I mustered; he looked at me and started crying. I had no clue what was going on in the life of this very large tough looking black dude, but as I saw the tears streaming from his face, my instinct was to just give him a hug. The tears increased while I hugged him. We didn't have a conversation after that, I just let him cry, and when he was finished, we just looked at each other with a knowing glance, nodded our heads and went our separate ways.

I obviously still think about this man, be it decades later. I wonder what was wrong? Is he okay now? Why was he put in my path? I'm okay with not knowing, because there have been times where someone I didn't know, made my day with a simple conversation. Some of the most prominent memories that have shaped my life have stemmed from interactions with nameless people who somehow said or did something that touched me so much.

If I ever feel like I don't matter or that my life has become more of a mess than I can handle, the first thing I do is flip my attention on who I can bless while I am in my own storm. I know when it's time, God will put another old man (or some other kind person) in my path; until then, I will be the one giving out the hugs.