Don’t Forget Your Special Flashlight

Don’t forget your special flashlight, the one that has these seven words written on it: “I am the light of the world.” If you don’t have a small flashlight yet, then immediately go obtain one and make it ready. This flashlight is to remain with you always. If it ever voluntarily or involuntarily retires, replace it so you are never left alone in the dark without a light. This handheld tool of illumination is not only available to help remind you of an always pervasive luminous mystery, it also stands ready to help prepare you to mysteriously bring more light into the world.

Be on the lookout for when it’s time to shine some unexpected rays. If you find yourself talking to someone about a topic that deeply touches you, then consider flashing the light. Explain that this is a reminder that there is a mysterious light in the world. Whatever conversation follows, make sure it helps evoke and illumine the presence of mystery. Also be prepared to shine your light on a word in a book, a flower that recently blossomed, a feather that previously fell, an image that inspires, a radio playing a heartwarming song, even a single letter on your computer keyboard. Shine your light in the world each and every day. Shine it in the morning, shine it in the day, and shine it at suppertime.

The more surprised you are by what you choose to illuminate, the better. Perhaps you will go to a fruit stand and shine the light on a peach. Or to a toy store and illumine the nose of a teddy bear. Have you ever considered lighting up a piece of chocolate cake, a fountain pen, or the stem of an apple? How about illumining a church pew or some sage ready to be staged at a ceremony? Lighting a special number? Will you light the number 5 five times or once? Consider aiming that light on a doorknob, drop of wine, pie crumb, overhead cloud, or faraway star.

How about the sole of your shoe, the underside of your shirt collar, the hole in your belt buckle, or the center of your belly button? Open your wallet and let it shine or place it into your purse as it shines inside. Shine it on your spiritual thermometer, measuring tape, and zest-o-meter. Write the word shine and then light it up. Go ahead and beam the light upon your signature. Light up the sun-bred shadows of the day and further illumine the moonlight of night. Wake up at 3:00 a.m. and with utmost gratitude light the center of each palm where the words, “thank” and “you” were written before falling asleep. Step into the light, jump on it, leap over it, lie under it, and shake hands with it. Shine it everywhere and in every way.

Do not ask why the world needs more of your light. Don’t explain why mysterious light action makes every room expand, strikes up the band, and inspires taking a stand for something far more pleasing than what anyone could ever understand. Simply carry the light and bring more shine into the world. Wonder whether you will sing, “This little (flash)light of mine, I’m going to let it shine!” Changes will emerge. Don’t forget to light them when they arrive. The time will come when you will dream the light.

You must first share enough light in your everyday in order to make your way to illumining the mystical night. Do all of this in the biggest, hottest, and zestiest room. Never become so well read and conceptually overfed that you forget to take the childlike action that shines your little light. Become the beacon that helps others trip the light fantastic and find mystical sight as they experience the emotional delight of a soulful song and dance flight.

-The Keeneys, excerpted from Sacred Ecstatics: The Recipe for Setting Your Soul on Fire.

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