I love lighthouses and have explored all the ones in North Carolina where I live. I’ve also visited ones in Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia. Yep, I love lighthouses! One reason is that lighthouses are located at the beach and if you have been reading my blog for a while you know that the beach is my happy place. Another reason is that I have a lot of respect for the fact that they’ve been there for so many years weathering storms yet still standing strong. Rain, fog, nor’easter, even hurricanes, they stand tall with their light shining. Lighthouses were built long before navigation systems and GPS existed. Their light was both a warning and a guide to sailors as they navigated from point to point along the coast. Lighthouse keepers were diligent about keeping that light shining because they knew mariners depended on them for their safety.
Like the lighthouse, I believe that each of us has a light within us that needs to shine for others to see. My yoga instructor Stephanie always ends each class by saying, “The light within me, honors and respects the light within you.” I love that she reminds us each week of the importance of our inner light. We all have times in our lives when we don’t feel as if our light is shining very bright. It’s during those times that I think you receive guidance and strength from the light of others. In fact, your light might be the very beacon of hope that someone else needs to get through a tough thing like cancer, grief or an overwhelming life circumstance.
So, no matter what your day may bring, opportunity, joy or challenge, always remember to “let your light shine”. Someone may be depending on you for that light.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its’ stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5: 14-16 NIV
Blessings, Cindy J
Footprints of Hope 