This week I learned a lesson about light from a rabbi.
I’m not Jewish but I was invited to a public lighting of a menorah candle. The rabbi spoke warmly, and genuinely to explain the symbolism of the candle lighting and hanukkah.
Afterwards people mingled and had some food, and the potato latkes were delicious. I digress from the lesson, but they were really yummy.
As an illustration as he spoke the rabbi briefly talked about fire and water. He confirmed with a firefighter present that the bigger the fire, the more water needed to extinguish a fire.
However, not so with darkness. Darkness needs only a candle to beat back darkness, more darkness does not vanquish a candle. The rabbi used this metaphor for darkness in the world and people’s lives. He encouraged us to light our own candles and keep them lit. He said light a candle for someone else or help them to light their own.
I empathized with this metaphor because I walk at night often. I used to rely on reflective material but it is useless it is reflecting light, as in you are still invisible and I once had a jogger almost run over me in the dark. However even the smallest LED light is visible a great distance away, and so I wear a light and I carry a flashlight as an extra precaution.
It is winter, dark and cold but I hope that we can all light a candle for ourselves, or help someone by being a light, dispelling the dark of loneliness, addiction, or helping to someone else light their candle and keeping us warm as well.
I think the rabbi was right, let’s all be candles. It can feel sometimes like we aren’t doing much to help, but if that candle goes out, then you really see the difference it makes, and dark times calls out for light, even a small one.
As I look toward 2018, this was a lesson I was thinking about, and at this time of year when people are rushing about, shopping, buying – I liked the lesson about less doing amazing and thinking we all can do amazing with less than we think.
Life and Random Thinking 
Wow, what a powerful concept; and how timely, considering the rise of extremism/racism/misogyny going on down here in murica Thank you for sharing it😍😍😍
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I never am confident about how readers will respond to the posts under my category “thinking out loud ” and so your feedback is doubly appreciated
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Yes, thank you. What a great reminder. I just watched a powerful video clip of religious leaders who gathered in the White House and staged a demonstration–simply reading scriptures, most admonishing us to care for the poor and less fortunate. The group was arrested, peacefully, and were driven away singing hymns. They did shine a light in what feels like a dark place to many Americans right now. This post intersected nicely with that video.
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Thank you for adding to this post with your wonderful comment. Bravo to those folks but hard to understand what they did to deserve being arrested
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I cannot see it either DF. Perhaps speaking truth to power is no longer tolerated in the White House.
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https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsLove that. It reminds me of a little song I sing with my son. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let shine, …. It is important to be the light of the world. There is too much darkness.
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Sunday school song! I like it😊
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What a wonderful idea
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Thanks for visiting my blog as extensively as you have. I hope you will share more comments, and I can get to know you better that way.
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Of course
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Reblogged this on Morning Story and Dilbert and commented:
…this is a wonderful life lesson…. Enjoy!!! 🙂
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A wonderful compliment that you reblogged my post! Much appreciated.
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and the other thing about light that you will see for yourself is that always drives back darkness, but darkness can never drive back light. Lighting a candle in a dark room always drives some of the darkness away, but if you open a door to the darkness it cannot destroy the light.
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I totally concur, let us all try to candles.
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Nice…
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Thanks Aman. I will check your site.
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Light is not political. It doesn’t take political sides. It just is. It is goodness, truth and living honestly. I believe that these are the qualities that we should strive for. Living the truth can and will inspire others to follow suit. Thank you for posting a sweet and inspiring story.
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I am tickled that so many have enjoyed that post. Bless you.
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https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsReblogged this on Apples of Gold and commented:
Here is a sweet and inspiring story from another blogger. Each of our lights does matter. It does make a difference in this world. Best wishes for a happy and light-filled year in 2018!
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Reblogged this on Life and Random Thinking and commented:
Sometimes I like to look back. This post was three years ago. It was an evening of wonderment and inspiration.
Bless you all ! – David
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A timely repost. How we all need light and the Light of the world to drive away darkness.
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I’ve been studying light for 40 years now. Each day brings light true but each days light is different.
A single candle is a good metaphor for a soul. One candle magnified by millions can shine through the darkest night.
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Wayne, I know you must think about light all the time. It’s amazing what one candle can do in the darkness. Thank you sincerely, David
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Yes,a handful of candles can light up an entire room beautifully!
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Thank you for a heart-felt reminder that we are all capable of adding light to the darkness with our own internal light. More than ever, we need to shine our light upon the world and share it with others who cannot find their own! Amazing post!
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I am so touched by your warm comment. Light is so meaningful to me. Thank you for taking the time. Hugs, David
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