lamp in the dark

Punching holes in the darkness

Author: A M Scott

In the 19th Century, an evening routine in a European city likely included the diligent lighting of lamps in the streets. Armed with ladders and torches, lamplighters would set about lighting lamps so that flames would burn into the night illuminating the path or passage, expelling darkness for the evening hours. Like all routines, this ritual must have brought comfort and certainty for the city dwellers. Robert Louis Stephenson, poet, novelist and musician, was intrigued by the work of these lamplighters. One evening, while he stood watching with fascination, his parents asked what he was looking at. He is said to have exclaimed, โ€œLook at that man! He is punching holes in the darkness!โ€

Living in 2018 is no โ€˜walk in the parkโ€™: time flies, politics are uncertain; economies are pressured; the future is uncertain; humanity is desensitized more than compassionate; someoneโ€™s word means less and less; ethics are a novelty. It appears bleak, dark even. The survival of the fittest seems more valued than integrity in an environment where social media creates smoke and mirrors to hide ourselves from ourselves as much as from one another. How do we ‘punch holes in the darkness’ for our children, our families and our communities? What choices can we make that illuminate a way for our children? How can we routinely light a lamp to mark the route? What do we do as adults that might captivate the interest and attention of the young generation we are charged with raising?

When we accept that we are enough in a world that insatiably demands we be the biggest and the brightest, we areโ€ฆ

โ€ฆpunching holes in the darkness!

When we speak positive words and avoid self-deprecation or maligning of others, we areโ€ฆ

 โ€ฆpunching holes in the darkness!

When we embrace the feeling of challenge with grit and struggle a while to gain mastery, we areโ€ฆ

โ€ฆpunching holes in the darkness!

When we equip and empower our children to think and solve problems, we areโ€ฆ

โ€ฆpunching holes in the darkness!

When we believe in the potential of every child, we areโ€ฆ

โ€ฆpunching holes in the darkness!

When we acknowledge our vulnerability and resist portraying an image of perfection, we areโ€ฆ

โ€ฆpunching holes in the darkness!

When we expect honesty and integrity from ourselves and our children, we areโ€ฆ

โ€ฆpunching holes in the darkness!

When we anchor our children in family values, we areโ€ฆ

โ€ฆpunching holes in the darkness!

When home is a haven in a hostile world, we areโ€ฆ

โ€ฆpunching holes in the darkness!

When we give more than we receive, we areโ€ฆ

โ€ฆpunching holes in the darkness!

When we respect the dignity and rights of every human being, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, ability or age, we areโ€ฆ.

 โ€ฆpunching holes in the darkness!

When we agree to stand together as a community and enjoy strength in diversity, we areโ€ฆ

 โ€ฆpunching holes in the darkness!

When we still our minds, care for our bodies and feed our souls, we areโ€ฆ

 โ€ฆpunching holes in the darkness

When we are driven by hope and say as much, we areโ€ฆ

โ€ฆpunching holes in the darkness!

When we laugh, play, banter and share our stories face to face, we areโ€ฆ

โ€ฆpunching holes in the darkness!

When we choose gratitude over complaint, we areโ€ฆ

 โ€ฆpunching holes in the darkness!

When we take time to learn about the other and listen more than we speak, we areโ€ฆ

โ€ฆpunching holes in the darkness!

When life is less about stuff and more about living, we areโ€ฆ

โ€ฆpunching holes in the darkness!

Punch on, and do it routinely, diligently and resolutely! Punching holes in the darkness is the view to a brighter future.

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