WHAT IF TODAY, YOU WERE A BEACON OF LIGHT ?

Several years ago, I found myself stuck on a bus in a bustling city during rush hour. The traffic was crawling, barely inching forward. The bus was packed with cold, weary passengers, all visibly irritated— with each other, with the rain outside, and with the world in general. The atmosphere was heavy with frustration.

But then, something unexpected happened. The bus driver said on the intercom, “Folks, I know you’ve had a tough day, and I can see how frustrated you all are. I can’t do anything about the weather or the traffic, but here’s what I can do. As each of you get off the bus, I’ll reach out my hand to you. When you walk by, just drop your troubles into my palm, okay? Don’t take your problems home tonight, leave them here with me. My route takes me right by the river, and later, when I drive past it, I’ll open the window and toss all your troubles into the water. How’s that sound?”

It was as if a spell had been broken. Instantly, the mood shifted. The entire bus erupted into laughter, and faces lit up with surprise and delight.

At the next stop—just as promised—the driver extended his hand, palm facing upward. One by one, each departing passenger mimicked the motion of dropping something into his palm. Everyone participated. The driver repeated this ritual at all the following stops, all the way until we reached the river.

We live in a harsh world, my friends, and there are days when life feels overwhelmingly heavy. Sometimes, that heaviness stretches into weeks, months, or even years. You face struggles and setbacks. You lose jobs, savings, friendships, faith, and love. You watch devastating events unfold in the news, and fear creeps in, as though darkness has enveloped everything. You yearn for light but you don’t know where to turn.

Yet, what if you are the light? What if you hold within you the very spark of hope and clarity that a darkened world so desperately needs?

Just like this bus driver, anyone has the potential to be a beacon of light at any moment. He wasn’t a spiritual leader, a talk-show host, or a social media influencer. He was simply a bus driver. Yet, he wielded a quiet but profound power, and he used it to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

When I feel helpless in the face of the world’s challenges, I think of this man and ask myself: What can I do, right now, to be the light? Of course, I can’t single-handedly end all wars, prevent every tragedy, or eradicate all injustices. But I can start small, right where I am, to bring kindness, compassion, and hope to the world around me. even strangers I pass on the street.

The way we conduct ourselves matters deeply, because within human society, emotions and behaviors are contagious—sadness and anger, certainly, but also patience and kindness. Each of us wields more influence than we often realize.

So, how can we be a light in this dark and broken world? I believe God has placed a divine light within each of us. This is why our light shines brightest when we take time to connect with Him in quiet, personal moments. He is our eternal source of light, and through daily communion with Him, we are empowered to reflect His love to the world.

Take the time to sincerely express love and appreciation:  Every kind word, every genuine smile has the power to uplift and heal.

Embrace Acts of Kindness: Whether it’s offering help to someone in need, sitting with a friend who’s struggling, or simply offering a heartfelt compliment, these small gestures can create a ripple effect. You never know how much your kindness might mean to someone who’s silently carrying a burden. Your words or actions could be the very thing that brightens their day or gives them hope.

Each day is an opportunity to make a difference. No matter where you are or what challenges you’re facing, you have the power to bring light into the world, one small, beautiful act at a time.