Despite my very busy week, I found time to contemplate a recent quote I read, which I am calling “Brilliant Blaze”!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot … The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.
~ Jack London
How many of us live a life of mediocracy when we really need to be a brilliant blaze?
When I see what is going on in our world, our country, and even our cities, I wonder how many of us are still just existing. I know, since I am guilty of this at times, that just existing can be safe! Existing allows us to go through life without caring about what goes on around us — turning a blind eye to any injustices we see!
If you haven’t already guessed, I am talking about the abuse, violence, kidnapping, and murder of the people in Minneapolis. What is happening there brings me to tears, knowing that this is not who we are. This is not the American way. And it is not the kind of world that I want to live in.
So, back to my quote: How do we become a spark during times like this? Or maybe another way to interpret this is when is this spark of destruction going to burn out!
I certainly don’t have the answers, but I do know that I will not add to the negative narrative saying that these people deserved this kind of treatment! NOBODY deserves to live in fear of being beaten, kidnapped, or even killed. We are better than that!
Honestly, this is a time that I can appreciate living in a Red state! It is highly unlikely that ICE will wreak that much havoc in my little town and community. But at the same time, how do we live with ourselves while we watch the terror we see going on elsewhere? And their biggest crime? They voted for the wrong people in the election (Or, in fact, were they the right people?).
I, for one, would rather burn out in a brilliant blaze than settle for existing. So, I pray! I extend a helping word or hand when and where I can. I choose to love my family and the neighbors who may dislike me for not believing as they do. (Tough choice sometimes!) And when I pray, I pray for peace and love. Maybe if we had more of that in our world, there would be no more violence and terror.