Smash365 Response: Power

Jul 10, 2011 by rus vanwestervelt

These beacons of light, they did not originate with you, with her, or even with them. To say that I am grateful, though, for the light of my sister or the light of so many students, then and now — well, that is a clear case of understatement. I am grateful for how they continue to brighten my inner life and the path I am on. But I suspect their inner being is not the origin of such light — No, it goes much deeper than that, just as my light’s origin calls its source a fountain that has flowed for many hundreds of years.

Just yesterday, I spent the afternoon with my brother Jim. I was inspired a few days ago by one of my grad student’s work that focused on digital storytelling, and I wanted to learn more about my own roots and make a digital story of their lives for my own children to have. They barely remember their grandmothers, and can’t recall a single memory of their one (and once) living grandfather, who died 8 years ago (my father died in 1989, long before my wife even had a chance to meet him).

While talking with my brother, he began to share stories about our parents and grandparents (three of whom had already passed away before I was born). The stories he told were illuminating, sharing tales of warmth and kindness that had stuck with him all these years.

My brother is a very compassionate man. He has devoted his entire life to serving others in and around his various communities. He is, for so many (including myself), a Beacon of Light. But it became very evident to me yesterday that the light that has shone so brightly these many years is born from a source that is many tenfold the years he has been on this Earth.

This light within us, this source of energy and power, has been passed on by many people, known and unknown, and we are merely keeping that energy and inspiration alive every time we allow ourselves to radiate such kindness and love. If we have been so fortunate to be touched with such love and light in our lifetimes, the very least we can do is open ourselves up, light the path for others, and allow them to carry the mighty beacon for others who may someday cross their own paths in need.