“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”– Leo Buscaglia
Each one of us can be a Beacon of Light. We can bring kindness and caring to each person we meet. That is our choice. That is our power.
I was struck by a Delta pilot’s words as he welcomed us onto our flight to New York City. He completed the typical: “Welcome to our flight. Thank you for flying Delta.” Then proceeded, in a lovely way, to remind us to be kind to each other: “Make sure you take care of yourself and take care of others in your life.”
I was struck with the poetic nature of those lovely words. The pilot didn’t need to share that sentiment, but he chose to go the extra step to be kind, to be a light in our difficult times.
It made me realize that we have opportunities to be “Beacons of Light” every day. These opportunities need not be during a volunteering stint or in an organized activity. Those opportunities may come in the grocery store, waiting in line to renew your license, or on a walk in your town center.
On this flight I found that light in the woman who graciously, without hesitation, gave up her aisle seat on the plane to an elderly woman who requested it.
I found the light in the man who helped me put my suitcase up in the overhead bin with a smile and a nod.
I felt the warmth of the light from our Uber driver who waited for us, after already being paid, to make sure we could figure out how to get into our vacation rental in what turned out to be a sketchier neighborhood than expected.
And this was only Day One of our sister’s reunion. So many Beacons of Light.
I see this Beacon of Light in the subtitle of Greta Thunberg’s book: “no one is too small to save the planet.” We can each make a difference one person at a time.
Where in your life can you be a Beacon of Light? Each of us has the ability to care. Each of us has the ability to make someone's day, week, or life bette,r and more full of light with an act of kindness.
“Kindness in words, creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu
