The Steady Light of Hope (revisited)

The Thought for Today is a rerun... but life has a way of going full circle. People I know are going though some very tough times right now. Health, financial, despair etc....  Yesterday I printed off a couple copies of the post I wrote last July to send to out to a couple people. I didn't get anything sent and was having second thoughts about sending it at all as it may be too presumptuous... and well... guess what the thought for today is? Exactly the same "Steady Light of Hope" that I wrote about over a year ago.... Coincidence? I think not.. I think it is the synchronicity of Life, a message of Life... to not second guess and just do.... So, with a few edits from the original version, here is my STEADY LIGHT OF HOPE-revisited:

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, and all  you feel you have is this dark coal of despair... It is at this point you feel life isn't worth it and you feel you have no choices, ... so low you are that you  even 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 and  your chest physically aches, that is 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 you're on your knees… "looking up". You are reeling with pain and despair you can't even talk... It is then that the mind screams out  “God /Creator/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.

Even in the darkest of dungeons, there is a glimmer of Light (hope) 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 though you may feel alone. 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; that phone call that comes with the hope of work, 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 storm 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.