Lights in the World

Here’s to everyone who looks at the state of the world and does their best to improve it. They could have shrugged their shoulders and walked away to live simple, easy lives. But they didn’t. They chose to stick it out, pay it forward, and make a difference. This is often difficult and sometimes results in a life of hardship for those working to leave the world better than they found it, with no guarantee that they’ll get any recognition for their efforts in life or in death. And still, they keep going.

Much of their work involves sharing the life lessons they’ve learned with whoever is willing to listen to them. Some of these lessons appeared during times of quiet solitude in peaceful places. The lack of external distractions allowed them to notice things they would ordinarily miss, so there is a great deal of value in the occasional retreat. Some people have gone on permanent retreats, choosing to live far away from the madness, violence, and unconsciousness. But others have come back refreshed and ready to pick things up right where they left them.

The people who’ve done this for a long time understand that self-improvement is an individual decision and one that can’t be forced on anyone. This inclines them to focus most strongly on the people who are open to their message while hoping that those who aren’t interested will come around eventually. That’s always a possibility, as some people need to see everyone around them living happily, freely, and effectively before they can commit to doing the same.

Through their example, these people inspire others to do small acts of random kindness. This is how their influence spreads and touches the lives of countless people that they will never personally meet but will still benefit from their work. The effects of their actions appear slowly at first but then manifest increasingly faster as more people learn about their ideas, put them into practice, and share them with their loved ones. Although the end results are much bigger and more intricate than anything they could do alone, they still deserve credit for getting the ball rolling and showing others a better way to live. Because without their light, the world would be a much darker place.