You are Lit Within…Awesome! Now what?

The May focus, Lit Within, shined a bright light on several people who have fanned their ever-burning fires of care and compassion to stand up and do something that matters for others. These selfless examples show that being “lit” is not something you “get” or acquire, it is already in you. It is an ever-ready super-power you have that can make a big change – a change for good – in someone else’s life experience. How cool is that?

But here is an interesting thing we learned. You don’t have to be in a “happy place” before you can help others. In fact, one of our stories describes being in the dark depths of sadness after the Texas school shooting, and how the very effort of connecting with others in despair, with each offering a tiny ember of hope, flamed into something bigger, brighter, comforting.

Fred Rogers knew exactly how to counteract images of tragedy: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

The “intention to connect” with others, to offer the heart’s goodness as a helpful balm especially in the midst of hate and hurt truly is another super-power each one of us possesses. Spoiler Alert: This lit the way to our June Focus of the restorative power of belonging.

“Who can say if I have been changed for the better…Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.” (from “Wicked”)

Highlights from May:

Lit within? Go do something! Dieter Randolph shares how a new church community focuses on the service part of “church service”! As Dieter says, “Go show the world what Love looks like!”

Are You Lit Within? [podcast] Travis Thomas asks three of his inspiring pals, “What does it mean for you to be lit within? What inspires you to make an impact in your world?” This podcast will light you up!

Staying Lit Within Carol Hohle confesses to a feeling of deep sadness and futility after the Texas school shooting a few weeks ago. It threatened to extinguish her light. Connecting with others helped her regain the flame of hope and action.