“Better to illuminate than merely to shine, to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate.” ~ Thomas Aquinas

Radiance, translated through the human capacities of body, mind and heart, is purposeful. It connects the source of your inspiration to those whom you inspire. You may be surprised by who discover illumination through your expression, so you are wise never to enter a situation with a prejudiced mind or a closed heart.

Contemplation is valuable to the extent that contemplated truths are shared with the world around you. Thinking in a vacuum serves no one. Likewise, sharing without contemplation helps no one. Far too many speak first and think later, particularly when emotions run high. Unfortunately yet inevitably, such an approach to living is the genesis of cancerous regrets.

When a candle is lit in your mind or a fire burns in your heart after you’ve given thoughtful consideration to a particular truth, don’t hide it. Share it! Inward contemplation of life’s deepest truths naturally yields to outward expression just as surely as inhalation gives way to exhalation in a rhythmic ebb and flow.

How many people go through life without giving deep and constant thought to life’s purpose, to their purpose? Why are you where you are? To what end do you utilize the resources at your disposal? If you are reading this you likely give thought to such questions more than the average person, and I wish you success and comfort in your contemplation.

When I consider human progress over the last few centuries I am as impressed by our inventiveness as I am dismayed by the shallowness of purpose guiding our creativity and imagination. We’ve certainly learned to do everything faster – the way we communicate, travel, prepare food, disseminate ideas, produce material goods and so on – yet I have to wonder if this momentum is helpful or not, without being anchored to a deep and unifying sense of shared purpose.

We are clearly here to create. Our very design reeks of creative potential. If you think about it, the most memorable human beings spent their lives illuminating others. Sure we memorialize those who were uncommonly destructive but the most inspiring people who have lived on earth were those who transcended the darker side of human nature and found ways to create, illuminate and inspire.

Don’t be hoodwinked by the little voice in you that whispers “why try…you’ll never succeed” or paralyzed by the stultifying murmurings of those who refuse to rise above the common herd. Dare to bear the light of inspiration into your world! It’s not enough to “try to be nice” or “hope to be a good person.”

To live – to truly live – you must illuminate by example and give genuinely of yourself to the world around you. There is nothing more gratifying, more fulfilling than this: that you dedicate yourself in radiant service to the world you center.