As we move towards the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday, I think about some of his quotes that have meant a lot to me. One is "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." The other quote I often think of is, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?" I think these two quotes combine so nicely together for our community.
I often am reminded about the light that each of us has within when I see the children interacting with each other. Each of the children so naturally "lets their light shine" in so many ways. Their joy, kindness, natural compassion, innate goodness, sense of justice, and genuine love are all elements of the light that drives out the darkness of hopelessness, despair, frustration, and any number of other forms of darkness.
In honor of the memory of Dr. King and his significant impact on the Civil Rights movement, the country has set aside Monday as a national holiday. In many communities around the nation, the day is not merely a vacation day, but has been used as a day of service. What better way to let our light shine and drive out darkness than to be of service to others? I challenge the Clairbourn community to find ways to be of service this weekend.
Need COVID-friendly service ideas? Here are a few to get you started:
• Send letters or pictures to someone in a senior home.
• Provide local nursing homes with colored paper placemats to bring joy.
• Create and send birthday party decorations and gifts for children who are in homeless shelters.
• Gather combs, toothbrushes, shampoo, and razors to make "I Care" kits for shelters.
• Clean up trash from a local outdoor space (using gloves).
• Help a neighbor with dog-walking or yard work.
• Offer to help a senior neighbor to take the trash cans in and out each week.
• Hold the door for others.
• Smile freely and often.
This is just a start. There are many other ways to serve. Please share your service stories with us to inspire others to let their light shine brightly to help the world.
