Divali is the festival of lights. Symbolically, celebrating the triumph of good over evil. As in all festivals, there is a spirit of celebration with gifts, new clothes, and meeting family and friends. Oil wick lamps light the entrance to homes, spreading cheer and joy.

Our celebrations will be incomplete if we forget to include those who are not as fortunate as us.

When we reach out to someone in difficulty and lend a helping hand, we spread joy. It doesn’t matter how many we can support, what matters is making the effort, with our heart, in supporting someone who needs it but may not have expressly asked. Being sensitive and caring, offering our support when it may not be expected, can light up someone’s life.

When we know someone is carrying a heavy heart and we make ourselves available to lighten their emotional burden, we spread joy. The reassurance someone can get by our mere presence and knowing that they are not alone can be sufficient for them to deal with their problems. Being available and going out of our way to reach out to share someone’s burden can light up someone’s life.

When we see our close one’s getting stuck in moving ahead, and we offer ourselves as a sounding board in helping them clear their mind and move ahead, we spread joy. Taking out time and deeply listening to someone without judgement, offering our perspective and honestly sharing our own stories of success and failure, can light up someone’s life.

And just as a flame draws on the oil that sustains it, when we tap into our own inner infinite source, we ignite a flame within. And this flame of love, joy, faith, hope and knowledge, not only brightens our own life, but we can light up someone else’s life as well. Sometimes, with all that we see around us, we may despair and wonder what difference will it make. It is at that moment, we need to be guided by the beautiful words – ‘It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.’

And when we keep the flame of love, hope and optimism ignited through all the storms and dark challenges life throws at us, we would have realised a simple truth. We don’t need to wait for a festival to light up someone’s life.

( Picture – Lights in our home for Divali )