Sunshine

        "There are some things we take for granted unless we suddenly have it taken away. The sun is one of those taken for granted lights except in gray or cloudy environments or where there is a lot of rain. We are always, however, talking about the effects of the sun, too hot, too intense and the effect that it has on our environment. In more recent times we have been made aware of the effects on the skin and how we must protect ourselves from the ultraviolet rays. We also know full well how important the sun is to our planets and how that too must be balanced. Too much and of course you have a drought or a dead valley or area. Yet plants must have the sun to grow.

        The full spectrum of the light is unknown. There is no way to understand at this time how to measure the extent of the sun's rays in all its possibilities. Why then should we think of the sun if we seem to already be aware of that which we can know? The sun's warmth is akin to a flame, a flame of light and warmth. We speak of someone who has a sunny disposition, someone who lights the way for others. Too much of that sunniness and a person is termed 'giddy' for it becomes too intense and too uncomfortable.

        Within ourselves is a radiating sun, a light, an energy, an aspect that can be a miniature version of the larger sun. With a little warmth we can sometimes help a person to grow, to take heart, to show courage. With a little light, we can help another to walk through a deep, dark valley. Yet if you walk down the street, you will see many faces which seem to indicate no light within, no flame, no warmth. If we think of the sun, it can be overwhelming as to its greatness and yet that small light within is no less great. Perhaps it seems too difficult to think about shining that light, of bringing up that little extra action necessary to express that light. But if we use the will and the heart with good intent a little flame of goodwill can be lit. That small flame can be there to warm and comfort the individual and as it grows, the light can be extended to warm another.

        The sun gives its light in so many ways. The inner light is no less limited. It is thought sometimes that we must give something big, or do something big to register goodness, to make a difference. This is not true, for sometimes a smile can change a day and warmth from the light within can lessen the load of another, a burden that one may be carrying which isn't obvious."