Are you going to be the first one to notice, to find, to comment on something good? Will you start the wave of refreshment pushing back the tsunami of pain and guilt others express through their criticism, rage, and finger pointing?

We cannot change them, but we don’t need to join in or sit on the sidelines letting them consume the airwaves.

Remember, one ray of light pierces the dark. It makes it and others take notice!

• One kind word, written or spoken can change the atmosphere in a room!
• One smile can push away the darkest feeling in another person’s bad day!
• Standing up for somebody who has been slandered could start a new trend!
• Refusing to add fuel to a negative social-media fire will help put it out!
• Being the first to say ‘Hi’, to shake someone’s hand, to ask how they’re doing…

A soft answer will turn away wrath many, many times.

Be the first…somebody has to go first…let it be you (and me too).

This phrase came to me over 6 years ago…been stored up for today I guess.

Some people, many people, maybe you, and it has been me, are afraid to be free!

WHY?

• Afraid of change
• Afraid of new responsibilities
• Afraid you can’t….whatever it is…
• Afraid of what others will think if you decide to change
• Afraid of new feelings and emotions
• Afraid of not worrying…(after all somebody has to be concerned-worried- about stuff!)
• Afraid you won’t get what you really want if you get free, so why bother
• Afraid to learn a new language, skill, job, vocation.

Just plain ole afraid!!!

BUT…if you give up afraidness what might your life look like?

Think back to one time you did something different and how it felt to be free in that one area.

It will feel like that in every area you decide to free yourself. That’s right, I said ‘free yourself’, because we are the only ones holding us back. No one else really can. They may try, but we give them permission if they do.

How could your life be different, beginning right now, if you did not give in to your fears?

Start with the one thing that bothers you the most.

I don’t feel safe. That’s why I’m hiding – too many have decided. So while you hide and stay safe, somebody else has to ‘come out of hiding’ and help you!…coming out of their ‘safe zone’.

We all want to be and feel safe. We need others to help, and yet we need to be ‘helpers’. If we’re all hiding out for better times who is going to do the work? Who will take care of the kids, who will teach them, who will work at the stores we like to order products from, who will do home repairs for us? Who will bake the bread, grow the vegetables, sew the clothes, build the freeways and bridges?

“But I don’t like doing any of those things, you say, I’m not into that. I don’t even want to clean my own house.”

Reverse your focus. Start small. Begin with only 1 thing. Peek out of the forest of fears and look for a ray of sunshine. Maybe get someone else to look out with you. All of a sudden you’ll notice something you can do. An idea will come to you where you could help/improve even a little thing. Start there and see how it empowers you. You will gain strength, momentum, care, watchfulness for others when you look away from yourself.

Come on out and breathe some fresh air. Hiding in your own darkness gets stuffy and you get lost inside of it.

In the fresh air, you will see farther, notice things you hadn’t seen before, and new ideas will come.

Who needs my help today?