To mix things up a little for y’all I asked my son Dalton to write today’s blog post:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was talking to a good friend of mine today – I’ll just call him “Kurt” (to respect his privacy). Kurt was sharing some of the trials that have been occurring in his life recently. Summed up, he has some people in his life right now who he cares about, but are more interested in having him solve their problems, rather than reciprocating the love and making sure that he\u2019s also doing alright. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think we can all relate to a situation like that. We all have friends or acquaintances in our life that tend to focus more on their needs than your needs. We also can probably relate to being that person who has at times been more preoccupied with what\u2019s going on in our own life than the lives of those around us\u2014at least I know I have. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Talking to my friend, it led me to think about the type of people I like to surround myself with. My closest friends are often those who have a bright inner-light\u2014a feeling of joy that they carry with them\u2014and who often serve as the wind to my sails. These people are fun to be around, they don\u2019t burden me down with worry and woe, and they\u2019re confident in who they are and the path they\u2019re walking in life. Just like everyone, they may have times that they need some encouragement and a shoulder to cry on, and I gladly offer myself as a friend to be there to reciprocate the love and be the wind in their sail. In times when I\u2019m not strong and could use that support, my friends are there for me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My friend Kurt is a strong light in my life. He\u2019s been there for me through thick and thin, and he always looks at trials with confidence and a great sense of humor. When I\u2019ve been at my lowest, he\u2019s been there to pick me up and encourage me to keep going. I\u2019ve been there for him (or at least I hope I have) when he\u2019s been at his low points in life to pick him up and remind him how much of an example he is to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I was listening to Kurt and his struggles helping some of his friends who tend to forget to reciprocate that support that he offers to them, I realized that within each of us is a light. When we share our light with others and serve as a friend, our light grows brighter. We help light the path forward for others. However, when we rely too much on other\u2019s light to guide us, we can become a drain on them, and our own light grows dim. When we serve as a light and find another person who reciprocates that radiance, we can count ourselves incredibly lucky to have a true friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world is going through some crazy things right now. Not only are we all witnessing the devastation of this global pandemic, but there\u2019s been natural disasters such as earthquakes and tornadoes in various parts of the world at the same time! I mean, if you\u2019re paying attention to the news (which I feel can actually reduce your lifespan), then you know that things are kind of crazy right now. We all need lights in our life. My recommendation, go be the light for someone right now. Call up your loved ones and make sure others are doing okay. Forget your own fears, anxieties, or emotions for a little, and focus on those around you. By doing so, you\u2019ll help your light burn brighter. I believe that with enough of us striving to be the light, we\u2019ll illuminate the path through what\u2019s going on in the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Try it out, and be the light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n