A string of lights
ONDER
I believe it is an unspoken rule that no matter in what community, suburb, neighborhood that one could live in, that during the holidays the twinkling lights of decorated houses and front yards come out to shine. Not everyone does decorate and even if you don’t yourself, you can probably go out and find someone who lives near you and they have the twinkling lights stapled or fastened in some fashion to their house. They are pretty, aren’t they? The lights. Even better if it has just snowed or currently snowing while looking at them. The colors glow and shine. Some may become dim but no matter what they do the best to shine as they can.
I find that in the multiple communities and different places that I have lived in, that you don’t have to search too far to find someone else’s lights. That is the beautiful thing about communities, coming together and giving a friend, a passerby, or another some light when all things may be dark in their world. Sometimes holidays are difficult to get through - with key people in your life, possibly not being there with you physically - through loss or distance. And sometimes that brings great grief to one’s heart. A dim light. Those are times when the lights of others in your life can help you still have illumination.
One thing I keep in mind, during the holiday seasons, is that small acts of kindness and compassion can go a long way in someone else’s world. Do they need a listening ear and/or a shoulder just to lean on? Do they need to be removed from their inner turmoil by your presence or smile? Or maybe it is just space themselves, to breathe… What kind acts can you do that are not too overwhelming? Can you make yourself a safe space for them to feel ok in? These are always questions that run through my head in most situations in life, even the happy times and moments. Being compassionate in this world is a gift you give to others. I know I cannot speak for everyone when I speak of grieving processes. Everyone has their own way and as long as they are not hurting anyone, including themselves in the process, they deserve the right to feel it out.
If you are the one having a tough time this holiday season, know that you are not alone. I might be presumptuous in saying that soon it will all be ok, but in a way it will be. Your light may not be the brightest right now, so look to your family, friends or that person who was/has always been a light in your life. If that one is gone, then hold their light in your heart with yours.
If you only put one light on a Christmas tree it may get lost in the branches, but if you string many lights together then the tree is illuminated for all. And all lights can glow, no matter the brightness, together, as a community.
SAMANTHA Y OCIUS CREATIVE MEDIA
BY
