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What image do you get when you think about helping others? A typical vision is of someone performing an act of kindness
or providing a resource to someone in need. This form of helping definitely provides assistance and is beneficial, but there is also another form of helping that is effective, positive role modeling.
I consider being a positive role model one of the most potent forms of helping others. I like to call it “being a beacon”. I think Marianne Williamson said it best in her letter titled Our Deepest Fear; “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same, as we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Even though I believe that the original thought of helping others can provide needed assistance, I believe that becoming a beacon for others to follow is not only helpful for others but for ourselves as well.
It’s amazing to see the capacity of humanity at work. One of the best examples of human “beaconism” is that of Roger Bannister. Roger Bannister was the first man to ever break the 4-minute mile in track and field. At that time the common belief was that it was humanely impossible to achieve that feat. On May 6, 1954, Roger achieved the impossible; he ran the mile in under 4 minutes. This had never been done before in the history of track and field. However, once Roger broke the record, the ‘four-minute barrier’ has continued to be broken by many track and field athletes and is now the standard of all professional middle-distance runners. It’s amazing what happens when one person chooses to break limitations; it creates a new reality and a beacon for others to follow. I believe we are all capable of this in some way, shape or form.
I would like to help as many people as possible, but unfortunately, resources are limited. In addition, you can only help a person so many times before they become dependent on your help. Instead of taking an external approach to this scenario, what if we approached it in an unconventional way? Instead of giving fish to the needy, why not teach them how to fish by serving as an example?
I challenge you today to allow your true light to shine and become that beacon that so many people desperately need. It’s a small act that, if done collectively, can truly make a difference in the world.
When I was younger I made bad decisions based on the influence of the so called “friends” I kept in my life. Looking back now I can see how these friends were in my life because of the way I saw myself and I manifested these relationships.  I attracted these people because of my diminished self-esteem.  I kept myself trapped in the perpetual cycle of victimhood.  I knew I had to make a change in my life because I intuitively knew I wanted better. It was one of the hardest decisions I made; letting these “friends” go.  As it turned out, it was the best choice. I started working on my personal growth. Moving forward with a changed positive attitude, with a heart full of forgiveness and accepting responsibility for my destructive behavior.  Letting go of the past and living in the present moment with love and kindness toward myself and with others. I evolved through my self-exploration and changed my limiting beliefs, old patterns and became a strong confident person.  Is there someone in your life who is not contributing or supporting you moving forward?
Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “To forget one’s purpose is the commonest form of stupidity.” Unfortunately, many of us spend years if not decades “stupid” and asleep to the idea of living our purpose or perhaps better said, living on purpose. So whether you are 9 or 90, every person who seeks to live wisely, must reach a place where they ponder, “What is my purpose for being here?” What is my intention or what goal have I set out to attain that represents my life?
Most of us have probably heard the saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” But do we live our lives like we truly belief this? Or do we spend excessive amounts of time and energy worrying and fretting about our tough situation, telling others about our situation so we can have company in our worry and fret, and then end up becoming nearly paralyzed by our situation?
