Shine the Light!
- Ross Berry
- 5 days ago
- 8 min read
Generate the Positive Energy…
It’s easy to get discouraged. Especially at this time of year, as it gets dark earlier. Starts to get cold. No more Daylight Savings Time. More likely to be stuck at home. All these things conspire – and they do have their effect on us. But in truth, we don’t have to be victims. We have the ability to take control. Rise above – create our own positive energy – Shine a Light on our challenges – and look forward to a bright and glorious day. Advancing confidently on our journey.
Moreover, when we do so, we also have an immensely positive effect on those around us. We’ve all seen how one person’s enthusiasm or optimism can change the whole tone of a room. It’s almost like lighting a candle in the dark – suddenly everything becomes just a bit warmer and a bit brighter. When we carry ourselves with hope, purpose, and the belief that things can get better, that energy spreads. And amazingly, even small actions can make a difference: a friendly word, a supportive gesture, or simply showing up with a smile when others are unsure.
Take, for example, a community in New Hampshire that faced a tough economic downturn a few years ago. Instead of sinking into gloom, a small group of residents decided to start a weekly winter market in the town hall. Not a grand initiative – just a gathering place with local crafts, baked goods, and music. But it gave people a reason to come together when days felt short and spirits low. Before long, the market grew, new friendships formed, and a sense of local pride returned. That was shining a light – not waiting for someone else to fix things but making the positive energy themselves.
And similarly, think of the countless small towns across America where someone decides to start something simple – a book club, a neighborhood clean-up, a community potluck. Not earth-shaking events. But these moments of taking charge, of choosing connection over isolation, often spark something far bigger. One person’s initiative can remind an entire town that it still has life, warmth, and possibility inside it. All it takes is someone willing to say, “Let’s make this better” – and to actually begin.
So yes, the days may be darker right now. The cold may be creeping in. But the real light – the real warmth – doesn’t come from the sky or the season. It comes from us. From our willingness to keep moving forward, keep believing, keep shining. When we choose to generate positive energy, we not only lift ourselves – we help lift everyone around us. And that’s a powerful, beautiful thing we can each do, every single day. So, I urge you – please give it a try – not tomorrow, but today!
The Student Who Chose to Believe
Sometimes the biggest challenge in education isn’t the homework or the test — it’s the mindset we bring to it. Take the story of Elena, a high school sophomore who always said, “I’m just not a math person.” She had convinced herself that numbers lived in some mysterious world that she could never understand. And every time she sat down with assignments, she felt the weight of that belief. But one day, a teacher gently challenged her: “What if you tried assuming you could understand this? Just for today?” That small spark of positive light changed everything.
Elena didn’t magically become a math genius overnight. But she started approaching the problems differently — instead of saying “I can’t,” she tried saying, “One step at a time.” And with every tiny success, she built confidence. The teacher also made a point to celebrate progress, not perfection — shining light on what was going right, instead of what was still wrong. That shifted the whole atmosphere.
Soon classmates noticed a change. Elena became the student who quietly encouraged others: “Let’s figure it out together.” The group dynamic in that corner of the classroom brightened, simply because one student learned to bring more hope than fear to the task. Positive energy is practical — it’s contagious.
By the end of the year, the grades were better, yes — but the real transformation was deeper. Elena learned that shining a positive light isn’t pretending everything is easy. It’s choosing to show up with belief, patience, and small steps forward. And once she understood that, everything else started opening up.
Finding Strength Through Healing
Healthcare challenges often arrive unexpectedly. They can knock the wind out of us. That’s what happened to Michael, a father of two, when he received a diagnosis that required months of physical therapy. In the beginning, it felt overwhelming. He saw only the mountain in front of him. But his therapist encouraged him to shift his mindset: Celebrate every inch gained — every day is forward.
So Michael tried something new. Instead of focusing on what he couldn’t yet do, he shined a light on what he could do — standing a little longer, walking a few more steps, lifting just one pound more. He chose to acknowledge progress. And as he did, the energy around him changed. His family got involved — cheering small victories, making the healing journey something shared rather than suffered.
Neighbors and friends noticed too. People started dropping off meals, stopping by to talk, offering rides — not out of pity, but out of love. When one person chooses positive momentum, others often follow. Michael realized he was not alone, and that made all the difference. The healing felt less like a burden and more like a community project.
And slowly, steadily, he regained strength. The measurable improvements mattered, but what mattered more was the inner shift. Shining a positive light didn’t cure him — but it strengthened him. It made him resilient. It gave him hope. And hope is powerful medicine.
Turning the Financial Corner
For many of us, financial stress can feel like a dark cloud hanging overhead — persistent, heavy, always reminding us it’s there. That was how Maya felt when her bills piled up after a job change. The numbers didn’t look good. She felt trapped. But instead of hiding from the situation, she decided to shine a light on it — literally laying everything out on her kitchen table one Saturday morning.
She made a list: income, expenses, debts, and priorities. Not to beat herself up — but to see clearly. Clarity is a kind of light. Once she understood the landscape, she could take action. She canceled a few subscriptions she didn’t need, negotiated a lower rate on her internet, and picked up a small weekend catering gig she had always actually enjoyed doing. Small moves, steady progress.
Slowly, the feeling of panic was replaced by something else: momentum. She felt capable again. She stopped thinking “I’m drowning,” and started thinking “I’m rebuilding.” That emotional shift created room for creativity and problem-solving. She even started saving a tiny amount each week — not because it was a lot, but because it represented direction.
And here’s the real lesson: shining a light doesn’t always mean the situation becomes instantly easy. But when we face things with honesty and hope, we show ourselves that we have agency. We can move forward. We can carry ourselves with dignity and purpose — even in the tough parts.
The Town That Refused to Dim
There’s a little town up north — the kind with one main street, a diner, a fire station, and not much else. Over the years, businesses closed, young people moved away, and the town fell quiet. It could have faded away entirely. But a group of residents decided they didn’t want that. They still loved their town — its character, its sense of belonging. So they chose to shine a positive light on what was still there.
They started small — repainting old storefronts, planting flowers along the sidewalks, organizing a Saturday “porch music” event where anyone could come play guitar or fiddle. It was simple, humble, heartfelt. And slowly, something shifted. People began gathering again — smiling again. Visitors started stopping by. A café reopened. Then a local artist opened a studio. The main street began to feel alive.
The most beautiful part? None of these actions were grand or expensive. They were expressions of optimism — people deciding to believe in their home and make that belief visible. And that belief drew others in. Positive energy builds.
Today the town is still small — but it is thriving in its own way. Not because of luck or outside rescue, but because the people who lived there chose to shine instead of fade. And that made all the difference.
Positive Profile of the Week: Dolly Parton: Lifting Spirits with Heart and Hope
This week we are delighted to highlight a truly positive spirit – Dolly Parton.
Dolly grew up in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, one of twelve children in a family that didn’t have much money, but had an abundance of love, music, and faith. She began writing songs as a child, using her voice and imagination to express her hopes and dreams. When she moved to Nashville to pursue music professionally, she carried with her not only talent, but a deep sense of gratitude, humility, and a joyful spirit that seemed to shine naturally. Her music career would eventually make her a global icon — but it is her generous heart and positive energy that have made her a beloved leader and source of inspiration.
Dolly has always had a unique way of looking at challenges. She once said, “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.” She lives this philosophy — whether she’s on stage, in interviews, or simply talking with people. Her laughter is warm and genuine, her presence is welcoming, and she never hesitates to encourage others to dream big. She reminds us that confidence doesn’t need to be loud — it can be bright, kind, and joyful. Dolly’s optimism is not naïve; it is chosen. She knows hardship, but she also knows the power of shining a positive light through it.
One of the most remarkable examples of Dolly’s positive leadership is her Imagination Library initiative. Started in her home county in Tennessee, it provides free books to children from birth to age five. What began as a local effort to support literacy has now grown to deliver over 200 million books worldwide. Think about that: millions of children, in thousands of communities, receiving the gift of stories, imagination, and learning — simply because Dolly believed every child deserves a bright start. She didn’t wait for someone else to solve the problem. She shined her own light.
And there’s more. When devastating wildfires struck the Smoky Mountain region in 2016, Dolly didn’t just express sympathy — she took action. She launched the “My People Fund,” providing direct financial assistance to families who had lost their homes. She offered hope when hope felt distant. She showed what it means to care for community — not as an idea, but as a practice. Her kindness reminded people that they were not alone, that healing can begin when someone says, “I see you, and I’m here with you.”
So, we thank Dolly Parton — for her music, yes — but even more for her compassion, her laughter, her generosity, and her steadfast belief in the potential of every person. She shows us that shining a positive light does not require perfection or grand gestures. It requires love, sincerity, and the courage to act. Dolly teaches us that joy is a gift we can give — again and again — and that a single ray of light can brighten an entire community.
Quote of the Week: Shining the Light
“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.”
— Maya Angelou