Be the Light

This world is a crazy place to be in these days. There is so much division and ugliness in it. Social media is a platform that was supposed to bring unity to people, but has done the opposite for the most part. It has become so easy for people to become what I like to call a “keyboard pirate.” It is easy for them to type mean and hurtful things that they would probably not have the courage to say to someone in person. The keyboard has become their protection and shield of armor.

I like to use this platform to be kind to people and to lift them up. To encourage and to try and be a little bit of light in this dark world. To spread kindness through crafting and creating a beautiful home. You would think to yourself, how can someone find something negative in that, right? Well, let me tell you that people that are unhappy find ways to be hurtful and mean in whatever someone does. I have received my share of negative and mean comments over crafts of all things!

You never know what someone is going through.

There is so much hurt in this world and you just never truly know what someone is going through. I guess that I look at things differently than most. I’m a “glass is half full” kind of person. Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t go through life always happy and peppy and never have my moments where I get angry and hurt over things. I get mad at people just like everyone else! But, I try to keep in mind that maybe they are going through something that is making them lash out. Hurt people like to hurt people.

I have been hurt by family, relationships and friends over the years just like everyone else. Some hurts that have been truly devastating to where I thought that I could never forgive those people. But, through those times God has pulled me through. I have prayed about the situations and I am so thankful that I didn’t let those times make me become bitter, angry and resentful.

I didn't allow the hurt to make me bitter and angry.

There was a time in my life that I was so down and felt worthless. I was a single Mom coming out of a marriage that was toxic to say the least. Here I was in my mid twenties trying to figure out how to navigate through life raising a child on my own. I gained weight, I was depressed and my confidence was pretty much gone. I was the perfect candidate to let what I was feeling on the inside come out on the outside.

I am so thankful for my Mom and her constant encouragement. She was the “light” for me. I was able to take my situation and turn it around in a positive way. I was able to forgive and most importantly, I took those horrible experiences and used them for good. We can either use the bad times to help others and lift them up or we can fall victim to them and use them to hurt others.

I’ve always taught my kids to be kind. Be kind to the mean kid in school because you don’t know what he or she is going through in their home life. Be nice to that kid that is different than others. The one that no one wants to be friends with because they’re not “popular.” You just don’t know how much a kind word or a smile can do for someone! Your kind word might be the only nice thing that they hear in a day. Our words are so powerful! They can MAKE someones day or DESTROY someones day. Choose them wisely!

Our words can make someones day or destroy their day.

Now, I know someone is going to read this and think that it’s easier said than done. I agree, but it is possible! I believe that we develop habits and sometimes those habits become our way of thinking. You can choose to wake up in the morning and be negative or you can thank God that you woke up because someone else didn’t. You can be angry you have to get up and go to work or you can be thankful that you have a job to go to. You can complain about your aches and pains or be thankful for them because you have a body that can still move. There are others whose bodies can’t. I think you get the point here. We are in control of our own thoughts and perspective.

We cannot change our past.
We cannot change the fact that people act a certain way.
We cannot change the inevitable.
The only thing we can do is the play the string we have... and that's
OUR ATTITUDE.

We are all going through something in life and we are all trying to figure it out. Life isn’t easy at times, but it doesn’t give us permission to be mean and unkind to others. I encourage you to think before you type and speak. Try flipping the anger and negativity around. One small tweak in your daily thoughts will lead to great things! The next time you don’t agree with someone or feel the need to comment something negative…. scroll on by! BE THE LIGHT for someone who needs it! Give them a smile! It doesn’t cost you a thing, but the reward for the one receiving it is more than you can imagine. Additionally, you will find the reward for you is even better!

If this has helped you and encouraged you, please leave a comment below. I would love for you to share this with others to encourage them to “Be the Light” in this dark world.

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Have a blessed day!

Nikki ❤️