Be A Light
I am a big fan of inspirational quotes, and recently I keep thinking about “Be A Light,” the new song by country western singer Thomas Rhett and friends. “In a place that needs change, make a difference. In a time full of noise, just listen. Cause life is but a breeze, better live it. In a place that needs a change, make a difference.” “It’s hard to live in color. When you just see black and white. In a world full of hate, be a light.” The message has stuck with
me and is the catalyst for this article.
I still remember the first assignment of my Leadership McPherson Class back in 2009, was to bring and describe three objects that represent who I am. My objects reflected that my faith has always been a constant compass, I am blessed to have family relationships that are filled with love beyond measure, and fortunate to have friendships with
incredible, positive ladies who add light to my life. It was very thought provoking to summarize who I am with only three things, and to share it with a room full of people I had just met.
Fast forward to March of 2020, when I attended Your Leadership Edge at the Kansas Leadership Center. That experience included a break-out session with five other attendees who were tasked with an icebreaker of “What
are three words that your friends would use to describe you?” We all kind of chuckled, then quickly took turns blurting out our three words. Certainly a different concept, to consider how the people that know the true you, see you. These are your friends describing you so it must be all good, right? I was trying to concentrate so much on what the others in my group were saying that I don’t honestly remember if these words were exact, but I believe I mentioned something along the lines of nice, funny and caring. I was raised to be nice to everyone because everyone is important. I chose the word funny because I think I have a sense of humor, but my friends know that I leave the “hilarious” verb to my friends who can tell stories that make me laugh-out-loud till my belly aches and my eyes leak tears of happiness. I assumed that my friends believe me to be caring, because I truly care about everyone’s concerns and joys.
I think we have all done a lot of soul searching, in light of recent world events. It has made me wonder, what are three words that people who aren’t my close friends would use to describe me? Is that how I want to be described?
Could I do better? Yes. As much as I try and pray to be kind to everyone, honest in all that I do and a positive reflection of how God wants me to live, I know that I could always do better. “The broken world waits in the darkness for the light that is you.” L.R. Knost. Be intentional and BE A LIGHT! ~ Debbie Hawkinson, Executive Director, McPherson Chamber of Commerce