Lighting one candle

Today, I will light one candle and that candle is myself. I will keep my own flame burning. I turn my sight to light and love and goodness. For today, there is no need to be discouraged. So what if I see and identify all of society and diagnose it as sick – what good will that do me or anyone else? I heal society by healing myself. Who I am impacts all that is around me and shapes my corner of the world. I am responsible for my impact. Just as life is lived one day at a time, the world will heal one person at a time. Each time I think positive, loving thoughts, they go into the ether and vibrate. My prayers will not go unanswered because they are the prayers of so many. There are so many good people from all walks of live, all corners of the world. We have something very profound in common, our love of life, our love of our world, our respect for the life that has been given to us and to others.

I have a contribution to make

At times our light goes out and is rekindled

by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause

to think with deep gratitude of those

who have lighted the flame within us.

Albert Schweitzer

This reading is taken from Tian Dayton’s book One Foot In Front of the Other : Daily Affirmations for Recovery