Thought For Today

Friday, July 10, 2009

STEADY LIGHT OF HOPE

(This was my Steady Light of Hope the other morning)
Going through an old thought for the day I came across this one that unfortunately, sometimes hits home.

When illness strikes, loneliness, despair, pain, hurt, death, fear, etc….. Find your

STEADY LIGHT OF HOPE

“No Matter how dark the situation, let me always hold on to the steady Light of Hope.”
( www.thoughtfortheday.org.uk )


When I’m right in the thick of things, my darkest moments, my deepest despair; it seems impossible to find a steady Light of Hope. All you see is darkness. No windows, no doors, just deep sorrow, loss, despair, pain, loneliness, fear…. How can they say there’s even a glimpse of hope let alone a steady Light of Hope?

A lot of twelve step programs say you have to hit bottom before you can start the healing. Sometimes, that’s all too true. When your down and out and you can’t get any lower, you have to look up to see the rim of the gutter….. And there it is….Look Up! … When all seems hopeless/darkest and the pain is so deep it hurts; your chest physically aches, that’s when you begin to crawl… reaching for whatever you can grasp…. , and you reach up to grab the rim of the gutter… all the sudden your on your knees… looking up. That’s the coal warming. When all that comes out is “God /Universe/Devine why, how, where, stop…Please!??” That raw guttural plea turns into a prayer of desperation. It’s in that asking for deliverance that healing can begin. That dark coal in your heart starts to warm and glow. The ember starts to take hold. Your hand reaches up to grasp Hope. It’s then that things begin to change. Once the “prayer” or “cry” of desperation is uttered, there’s no going back. Coal may take a while to warm and glow but its fire heats deep and its glow lasts long and can be seen through the darkness.

In the darkest dungeon, there is a glimmer of Light when they slide nourishment towards you. There is companionship in the quiet mouse that visits you every night. There is communication with the cricket that sings to you. All these small Steady Lights of Hope are around you even in your darkest dungeon. Look around see, feel, taste, touch, hear the heart beat of life, of Hope in the silence of despair. You are not alone. The Great Creator puts these unassuming beacons to guide us, to be with us even in our darkest days.

Focus on the glimmer of Light. Find comfort in the companionship around you. Listen to the songs of nature, taste the cool water that washes over you, easing pain. Touch the healing hand reaching down.
Reach up to the Light. Look up and see the steady Light of Hope beaming down on you. You are not alone.
That comforting smile from a nurse; that warm cup of tea/coffee being offered; the driver that motions for you to go ahead of them; that unexpected coin you find on the ground; the neighbor that waves good morning to you; the sunshine that warms your face; the breeze soft as an angel kiss cool on your cheek; the coo of a newborn baby; the chirp of a bird; the unconditional love given by your most precious pet; the list is endless for examples of the “Steady Light of Hope”. We may not recognize them at first when we are in our deepest darkest place, but they are there: ever present, always waiting for us.


Focus on the Lights that are around you and the darkness and shadows will fade. For up above the darkest clouds lies a Bright and Glorious Universe of Light. A Light so bright that it will fill your soul with Love and Peace. A Light of many colors creating a glorious Healing Rainbow of Hope. Reach Up and take the Hand of Love and you will find your Steady Light of Hope.

May you find healing and comfort even in your darkest situations. May you hold on to your Steady Light of Hope and find Peace and understanding. May your dark clouds lift giving way to the Healing Rainbow of Hope.
Love and Light, Nina P.


13 comments:

Caroline said...

Oh wow...how I needed to hear this tonight... A steady light of hope...it's very comforting to me. Thank you.

P.S. that little fawn is about the sweetest thing I have seen in days!!!

Anonymous said...

Yes bring on the light! I like the line "Listen to the songs of nature". Very poetic - and true. There is so much comfort in nature. Just yesterday I was entranced when I heard a bird singing its heart out. I couldn't see the bird - but could hear it singing every song it knew. Magical.

Clytie said...

Thank you again Nina P! How easy it is to throw yourself back into that ugly pit of darkness and revel in self pity about how black it is. You remind us, er, ME to look for that steady light of hope, no matter how small. Oh Nina, you have no idea how close to home this comes for me during the past few days! And how silly I am to look at the darkness of the pit and not at the light and beauty that are just above and around me. Blessings to you my friend.

Jill said...

Thank you Nina P. I often need reminding about the Light that lies within. I love the image of the Healing Rainbow of Hope that I saw when I read those words.

Beth Niquette said...

Thank you so much for this entry--your words are so apt for this day. It is hard not to focus on the darkness and look for the bits of hope shining all around.

I think the more one looks at the bits of hope, the brighter they become, until the darkness is swallowed up by the light.

((hugs))

Anonymous said...

Truly encouraging words that I need right now, so thank you very much for that!

Thank you also for your visits to my page & commenting! You're very kind!

miruspeg said...

Oh Nina this post has such deep meaning and significance for me
and penetrated to the depths of my being.

After years being in darkness I now only hold on to the "steady light of hope". I can't imagine ever going back there.

I have seen the light and now want to spread it far and wide to all and sundry.

Namaste
Peggy

septembermom said...

Nina, your words are like a bright light! Such positivity and encouragement. Thank you for sharing your thoughts to help us all with the tough times in life. Hugs.

Nina said...

I have come to know a hand guides mine when I write for reasons I may never know...

I am humbled by your responses. I am pleased you find comfort and encouragement as that is what is meant. God works in mysterious ways. The Devine Spirit shines for us all, even (or maybe I should say especially)guiding useven in the darkest of times. Love, Light, Healing and Hope go out to each of you. Love and Light, Nina P.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi There, We're home after a wonderful weekend in the gorgeous North Carolina mountains. I'll post in the morning.

There are so many people in this world who are hurting ---for all kinds of reason. We ALL need to remember that phrase: Steady Light of Hope. Thanks, Nina.

Hope you had a great weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy

JANN said...

thanks for sharing this...beautiful and true.....I so admire your talent for writing/words.
I wish I had this gift but I have always been more visual person.
YOUR truely blessed with expressing words so wonderful.

Janice Lynne Lundy said...

This is a wonderful post, Nina. Focusing and orienting toward the Light--toward the blessings that are present, toward the Love that is ever-present--is so very helpful.

Sometimes we just seem to get hit with "spiritual amnesia" and forget that the Light (the Good, Spirit, Love) is here, all around us, in and through us. We get stuck in our heads and mental worries (oh, the pesky ego!) and before we know it, we are down for the count. Darkness looms.

Looking toward the Light is a profound form of spiritual practice. Thank you for sharing it with us here in such a soulful way. :-)

Terry said...

Howdy Nina P.
Oh how true your words today.
Such important words ...
A steady light of hope .
I am reading an old book by :
Agnes Newton Keith called:
Three Came Home
It is about the life of an American woman now a British subject held
as a prisoner along with her three year old son during W.W.II.
They were held through the entire war .It is amazing how many survive life once they discover
A steady light of hope no matter what their circumstances.
Thank you for sharing these words today.
The photo of the fawn is so sweet.
Have a wonderful rest of the week.
Happy Trails