SHINE WHERE YOU ARE: You Don't Need a Stage To Be a Light

Inspired by: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”- Matthew 5:14

“You don’t have to be big to be light. Even a small candle ends darkness.”

• Abundant Robert K. AWOLUGUTU

We are all too familiar with this: “When I get to the city, I will shine.” “When I become rich, I will help.” “When I become an MP, I will build a clinic for my constituents.” “When I get a big platform, I will inspire.”

But darkness doesn’t wait for you to become big.

Here is the irrefutable truth: Ghana is not dark because there is no light. Ghana is dark because many lights are hiding, waiting to be “big enough.”

You are light from birth. All you have to do is let your light shine wherever you are. Your family needs your light. Your community needs your light. Manyoro needs your light. Kumasi needs your light. Your office needs your light. Shine right where you are. Do away with the excuse of smallness.

WHY WE HIDE OUR LIGHT
The Comparison Trap:
We think light must be like the sun shining brightly throughout the day. But your home, your shop, your classroom, your small farm, your tricycle – it needs a candle, not the sun. A candle is all you need.

The Fear of Criticism
Some suffer from an inferiority complex. “Who do you think you are?” Many dim their lights so others won’t feel insecure.

The Waiting Syndrome
The waiting disease – for appointment, for money, for validation, for elections, for electricity. The list could be endless. Light doesn’t need permission to shine.

SHINING YOUR LIGHT RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE

Shine With Your Work: What work do you do? Do it with excellence. Do small things in a great way. The teacher who teaches well in Manyoro is far better than a corrupt minister in Accra. A trader who sells with honest weights is better than a corrupt accountant in a ministry. Your work is your light. Work that shines is contagious. We model excellence, not mediocrity. Excellence becomes your lamp.

Shine With Your Words: Brighten someone’s life with words of encouragement. Your words can be light for someone in darkness. Be a cheerleader, an encourager. A single “I believe in you” can keep someone alive. I write to transform lives. See my previous article, “SPEAK TO BUILD.” My mouth is my torch.

Shine With Your Kindness: Lift people up. Pay someone’s trotro fare. Share what you have. Spread love. Share knowledge. Give a smile. Make a connection. Light is not selfish. It spends itself to brighten others. You don’t have to be a millionaire to be generous. The key is to be willing.

THE LAW OF LIGHT – WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SHINE

Light attracts light. Birds of a feather flock together. When you shine, you attract other shiners.

Light not only exposes, it transforms. Your consistency will challenge your compound, your office, your family to rise or bounce back after setbacks.

Light never loses anything by shining. A candle can light a thousand candles without losing its own flame. By watering the lives of others, your own is watered. When you help others shine, you shine brighter.

CONCLUSION: TOGETHER WE TRANSFORM

Have a light mentality. “We did it” is superior to “I did it.”

Final Charge: Don’t curse the darkness in Ghana. Light your candle. If everyone brightens their corner, there will be no darkness left.

Final Question: Who will see because you decided to shine where you are?

More From The Author

1. “You don’t have to be big to be light. Even a small candle ends darkness.”
2. “Don’t curse the darkness. Light your candle.”
3. “Your small corner needs your light more than the world needs your big dreams.”
4. “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. True success multiplies.”
5. “Stop waiting for the stage. The street where you stand is your stage. Shine there.”
6. “Together we transform, because light joined together becomes daylight.’
7. “When you become light for another, you both walk out of darkness.”

Yours in inspiration,
Abundant Robert K. AWOLUGUTU
Writer & Author