I was on a phone call with a friend recently, and they asked me a question: Do you feel like you’re making a difference in the world? The conversation continued. Are we, in our work, relationships, and everyday endeavors, making an impact on the communities around us?
My initial thought was… um, yea! Maybe not as much of an impact as I would like, but especially in this season of my life, my work exists largely outside of emails and phone calls.
Don’t get me wrong, I still spend plenty of hours behind a desk– publishing a magazine requires that. But for the first time in my professional life, I can see my work consistently living, inspiring, and being consumed in the communities we serve. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing an idea come to life and knowing it has the potential to make someone’s day a little brighter. Everything I do is wrapped heavily with an intentional bow.
I don’t feel like I have the luxury of moving through life without a purpose, goal, or mission. Perhaps this has become even more prominent since becoming a business owner. I remember vividly writing our business plan on a beach more than two years ago. The overarching intention was simple: Be the Light.
You see, I had experienced seasons of darkness and isolation in my own life– divorce, depression, loss in many forms. At some point, I began to realize that the remedy, in addition to my faith, was community and light. In some cases, it was actual sunlight. In others it was a light from within- sometimes small and hidden but full of unrealized potential.
When I spent time with friends and family who poured positivity into me, something shifted. My perspective changed. In isolation, it was easy for feelings of overwhelm, negativity, and darkness to grow. But in the light, surrounded by community, I was reminded that I had purpose.
My pity party eventually came to an end, and I began investing in things that fed my creativity, encouraged my spirit, and gave me something to look forward to. With every intentional step, I felt more enlightened and inspired. And perhaps that’s when I began to understand something important: Sometimes, the light we need is found in the people around us. And sometimes, after finding it, we’re called to become that light for someone else.
I believe there is a light within us all. And when we are able, why wouldn’t we share that light? It doesn’t have to be complicated or grandiose. It might look like encouraging someone who is struggling, creating something that brings joy, showing up for a friend, investing in your community, or simply choosing kindness when the world gives you every reason to not.
We don’t always get to see the impact of our actions. We may never know how a conversation, a small gesture, or a moment of encouragement changes someone’s day, perspective, or even the direction of their life. But that doesn’t mean the impact isn’t there.
It reminds me of the song many of us sang in Sunday School growing up: “This Little Light of Mine.” I’m gonna let it shine! I never thought something so simple from my childhood would turn into a life mantra, but here we are.
So, back to the original question: Am I making a difference in the world? I certainly hope so. And I hope you are, too. Maybe making a difference isn’t always about doing something monumental. Maybe it’s about being intentional with what we have, where we are, and who we encounter along the way.
We each have a light to share. Let’s not keep it to ourselves.
With Love and Light,
-Your Sister Friend Sarah