The School of Greatness - 267 Share the Light

Episode Date: December 18, 2015

"The gift of our unique light is truly the greatest gift we can ever hope to give." - Lewis Howes If you enjoyed this episode, check out show notes and more at http://lewishowes.com/267

This is 5-Minute Friday, episode number 267. In times of darkness, you've got to share the light. To me, every hour of the light and dark is a miracle. Every cubic inch of space is a miracle. This is by Walt Whitman. When we see the tragedies of the world and in our own lives, it is easy to become discouraged. We can quickly spiral into a story of belief that violence is worse than ever, and the politicians are corrupt, and the planet is on the fast track to destruction.

It's easy to retreat under your blankets after watching the news in despair that the world is growing darker, especially at this time of year when there is actually less daylight. The truth is, miracles happen every day all around us. But when the earth is darkened, when we are weary from the long night, we may not remember to lift up our eyes and gaze outward to see the miracles. to lift up our eyes and gaze outward to see the miracles. This is why for thousands of years, people from all over the world have created rituals and celebrations of light during this season when the days are short and the nights are long. We bring the beautiful evergreen inside

and wrap it up in tiny lights. Houses glow on every street with bright displays. Candles are lit and placed in the windows We tell stories about far away people guided by the brightest of stars These traditions are built not only to remind us of the miracle of light But more importantly to remind us to share the light To place the light on display so that all who pass by, no matter who they are, will also be reminded of and experience its warmth. We remember to give and give and give the light of love away to all who cross our path, not just those closest to us.

The gift of our unique light is truly the greatest gift we can ever hope to give. I believe it is our greatest privilege and duty to do so. Each little light in the darkness is a miracle waiting to be shared. Your light is a miracle waiting to be shared. Rumi said, Don't you know yet? It is your light that lights the worlds. Right now, you may not be feeling like you have anything to give. You may be on your last $10 and there may be fewer gifts under the tree this year than ever for your family.

to lift your gaze and look out into the world and see how you can spread light to anyone less fortunate than yourself because you have a home with a roof and with a tree under it. So take your kindness to someone who doesn't have this. Then see how your blessings multiply in the smile on their face. There was a story I read recently that goes like this.

In Crown Heights, there was a Jew, Yankul Who owned a bakery He survived the Nazi concentration camps He once said You know why it's important that I'm alive today? I was a kid Just a teenager at the time We were on the train

In a boxcar being taken to Auschwitz Night came and it was freezing Deathly train in a boxcar being taken to Auschwitz. Night came and it was freezing, deathly cold in that boxcar. Sitting next to me was a beloved elderly Jew from my hometown. He was shivering from head to toe and looking terrible. So I wrapped my arms around him and began rubbing him to warm him up. I rubbed his arms, his legs, his face, his neck. I begged him to hang on. All night long, I kept the man warm him up. I rubbed his arms, his legs, his face, his neck. I begged him to hang on. All night long, I kept the man warm this way. I was tired. I was freezing cold myself. My fingers

were numb, but I didn't stop rubbing the heat onto this man's body. Hours and hours went by like this. Finally, night passed. Morning came, and the sun began to shine. Nobody else in that cabin made it through the night. They died from the frost. Only two people survived. The old man and me. The old man survived because somebody kept him warm. I survived because I was warming somebody else.

End quote. Let me tell you a secret. When you warm other people's hearts, you remain warm yourself. When you seek to support, encourage, and inspire others, then you will discover support, encouragement, and inspiration in your own life as well. Shine your light in the world this season and always. You will make the difference for so many others as we make our way out of the dark. This is 5-Minute Friday and a very happy holidays to everyone who is listening.

Thank you so much for tuning in every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Make sure to share this with your friends, lewishouse.com slash 267. If you know someone who is down and out, who is struggling, who is in pain, suffering, isn't making ends meet, or just is a little down on themselves, make sure to send them this episode again, lewishouse.com slash 267. In times of darkness, we need to share the light. In times when we're down and out and not feeling good, that's when we get to look out of ourselves

and go find someone else and pick them up. Because in that process, we will continue to feel better. We will continue to improve our lives by giving and supporting other people. I hope you guys spread the message, not just of this podcast, but the message of your love and your joy and support to other people around you who may not be as far along as you. There is so much to be grateful for. I am so grateful for so much in my life

and I'm grateful for you listening right now. Thank you so much for being here. I'm gonna continue to give and give and give to you and I hope that it lifts you up every single time you listen to the episodes and the interviews on the School of Greatness podcast. Thank you guys so much. You know what time it is.

It's time to go out there and do something great. Thank you.