Keep Shining; Your Time Will Come,

Keep Shining; Your Time Will Come,                                                                        130708

               There is a time for everything. There are times when you will feel that you are being overlooked despite the excellent efforts you put in whatever you do. When such times come, it is important to realise that there is a time for everything and everyone. A time will come when you will also become the centre of attraction. Everyone will notice and wish they were in the same position. The problem is that if it is not yet their time, no matter how much they wish they could shine they just won’t; simply because it will be your time and no one else’.

               The street light may be bright, but if it is switched on during the day it will be neither visible nor appreciated. The point is not that the source of light is not bright enough; it is only that there is a brighter light at that moment. When night comes the street light becomes the brightest source available. If it does not give its light at this crucial time, the people will notice its absence. At that time it ceases to be negotiable as far as the need for this source of light. When the time is right, the proper source of light is appreciated when functioning properly; it is equally missed if it is not available.

               The moon’s light is welcome when one is moving in the night in a place where there is no artificial lighting. If however there is a car’s headlamp or a bulb, this light becomes insignificant. The point is not that the light source is not doing its best or is not necessary but only that in the prevailing conditions those who need the light have an alternative source. The moon does not loose hope, neither does it stop providing the light but it provides light regardless of whether people are grateful for its light or not.

               The stars have never stopped giving out their light. During the day they are so overshadowed by the sun’s light that they do not seem to exist. They are seen in their greatest brilliance when the night is darkest. In like manner, those people we refer to as stars do not only do something that is beyond our ability or reach, like stars are far above; they do it when the odds are against them. The sports stars are those who rise to the occasion and perform to the satisfaction of all and sundry when things are beyond everyone else’ ability to solve the problem. Stars are not needed unless things are so dark that no other source will provide light. All the same the stars will continue to give their best light whether we see them or not; whether we appreciate or not.

               As an individual there are times when your efforts will seem unappreciated. This is not necessarily because your services are not essential. At the right time you will be the only source of light available. At that point people will notice how important you are. If you happen to be unavailable at that time you will be missed greatly. What is important is that you keep shining even in times when no one seems to notice your presence. Like the stars keep shining at all times and you will be found shining when your time comes.

               There are times when you are considered as the sun when it comes to providing light: being so strong a source that every other source seems useless in comparison. It is important at this point not to deceive yourself by thinking that you are indispensable, something that may lead to pride and looking down upon others. What you need to know if you find yourself in this enviable position is that no matter how long a day may last, depending on the season, there is always a sunset that follows. When the sun sets, the same people who salute your glory will start looking for alternative sources of light. This does not necessarily mean that you will not have another go at providing the much needed light. After all, dusk is always followed by dawn after a couple of hours. For this reason no matter how important you feel in one area of life or another, realise that there are others equally important although not necessarily equally prominent.

               When it comes to light provision there are times when you can be the source of light. There are times when, like the moon, you give out only as much light as you receive from other sources. What is important in all cases is to realise that what is significant is to provide light to those who need it. It is not for the moon to glory in the fact that it can provide light. If there were no appreciative people on the receiving end then no matter how much you give, it will be considered useless. Only those who appreciate this fact will find fulfillment in whatever they do. Do it for others and it will be valuable.

               If you rely on reflecting from other light sources then you have to work at polishing your surface because the shiniest surfaces reflect the most light. If it is intellectual light then study hard to acquire as much knowledge as possible to be able to be effective as a source or reflector of light. The more polished your brain is the better.

               Whether people seem to appreciate you or not, as an individual is not as important as the fact that you are doing something to better their lives. Do what you do to the best of your ability with joy, knowing that a time will come when your services will become the only available. This may take a lot of time to come but be assured that when the time comes you will also bask in glory. Only those who keep shining regardless of other competing light sources will become the essential source in their time. Those who give up as soon as there is competition will not amount to much so keep shining.