Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world.
All things break. And all things can be mended.
Not with time, as they say, but with intention.
So go. Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally.
The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you. L. R. Knost
One week ago, one of my closest friends died. His name is Scott. Scott was fortunate. He did not die in the mass shooting tragedy that was unfolding in Nova Scotia at exactly the same time that he passed. Rather, he died at his home, at peace and enfolded in love and light, his family around him.
The day before his passing, Scott and his family went next door to their beloved temple, and did a family photo shoot. Three weeks before that, he held a facebook live event to announce his calling and mission, to serve God beyond the veil. A calling, that while coming sooner than he would have expected, he was truly and deeply excited to fulfill.
My friend wasted no time on dying. Instead, he chose to go right on living. He lived in joy and hope, right up until the moment of his death. He chose to carry his light to the end. And now - his family, and I, believe - he continues to shine his light as he undertakes his next mission calling.
There was a race in Ancient Greece called the lampadedromia. It was a relay race where athletes competed by passing on the flame to the finish line. In order to complete the race successfully, the athlete’s flame could not be extinguished. They had to keep their flame going, and they had to pass it on.
I learned about the lampededromia a few years ago when my friend’s father was dying from cancer. Her Dad, like Scott, kept his flame alight right to the end of his race, and his light helped rekindle my light at a time when my light was faltering.
Scott completed the earthly portion of his lampadedromia last week.
Watching him run, has given me pause and made me think about some things this week. He dared to shine his light. He dared to carry out his soul calling and mission. He dared to be a Mormon in a world that is not very respectful or kind to those with different belief systems and ways of life to theirs. Scott dared to be himself. Scott dared to shine. And those who know him know that he shines very brightly.
My friend Scott and the tragedy in Nova Scotia this week have made me ask myself questions.
Am I shining my light to its fullest?
Am I loving intentionally, extravagantly, and unconditionally?
Do I have the courage to run my own race?
Specifically - do I have the courage to undertake my next soul calling – my next mission – the one that has been whispering to me in my heart and in my daydreams - the one that I have been dancing around committing to, because it is not conventional or expected? Because not everyone will approve? Because it would be easier not to commit to it? Because some will consider it implausible?
Do I have the courage to let go of the opinions of others and simply run my own race? Answer the calling of my heart?
Do I dare to fully express me and my own particular – or peculiar - shade of the vast rainbow of color that comprises the light?
To be me?
Last night on the one week anniversary of the beginning of the tragedy in Nova Scotia, and today on the anniversary of my friend Scott’s new beginning and new soul calling and mission, I have decided to choose to try to keep my little torch going too, follow my heart, and create a new beginning that has been pestering me to be begun. Even though I know that it will involve making mistakes, falling down, and taking risks. None of which are my favorite activities.
Please dare to shine your light too.
Please dare to be the wonderful person who is you.
The true you – the deep down inside you – the you that isn’t always perfect or pretty.
Please dare to be the you that is not defined by your job, your bank account, your education level, or what you choose to spend your time doing.
Be the real you.
Be you.
Your light is needed.
We are all needed.
Our light is needed.
love, Rebecca
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