“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” — Edith Wharton
All of us can attest to annoyances and frustration with those individuals who don’t know, that they don’t know. Simply put, most people operate on an automated and/or robotic course. A very select few of our humanity have the introspective insight to read their thoughts, listen to their conversation or are aware of their conscious interaction with their fellow man. As a quick check of this . . . take a look around in any environment you may find yourself, and observe the interaction of everyone in that space. You may find the only one taking a breath, or resting in a silent moment is you. Most people engage re-actively to their environment, when a thoughtful response is the better choice. In most instances, individuals have no clue how their conduct, behavior, or thought process affects anyone in their sphere. It never occurred to them to step back, stop robotic talking, and consciously think how their words or actions are impacting anyone else.
This is where the ability of becoming that reflective light of conscious awareness, is the essence of our ability to transcend the mundane and reach for that which is limitless. If we were paying attention along the way, we were privileged to meet individuals who opened the door of possibility for us which was the spring-board of inordinate growth on every level. In the Science of Mind there was a quote from a person who had experienced such an individual . . . “He taught me that attention and intention determine results — that consciousness precedes experience.” I have had the distinct experience most especially as a performing artist, to realize the essence of communication on any level is release, or put another way stated by Julia Cameron, “The creative process is a process of surrender, not control.”
In the world we now inhabit, the chaos and cacophony seem impossible to penetrate. So why even bother or entertain that thought? With conscious thoughtfulness, we each can become that reflective mirror for anyone who comes into our realm of existence. With projected intention we can become the indistinguishable candle for everyone we know, especially when it is the most difficult, challenging or hurtful. It is always easier to fight back, become hostile or hateful when we feel threatened or in harms way. The more difficult choice is reflected in the words of the Dalai Lama, “In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher.” Sometimes . . . that enemy is our own reflection in the mirror. JLR