A Light in the Darkness
You probably think the picture is a mistake. Read on…
Have you ever found yourself wondering just how much influence you, as a blogger, really have? I mean sure, we all have our circles of influence, big or small, but just how far does that circle really extend? It’s something I imagine most bloggers probably wonder about, especially when first getting started. (I know I did!)
Years ago, while on an 8-hour-long night flight from Miami to San Paolo, Brazil, I remember waking up at 2 a.m., somewhere along the way, and wondering exactly where we were. A flight attendant just happened to be passing by at that moment, so I asked.
“Oh, we’re over the Amazon basin at about 45,000 feet,” she cheerfully replied. (You have to admire how flight attendants can stay cheerful at 2 a.m.!) “We still have a long way to go, so I suggest you try to sleep the rest of the way,” she added helpfully.
I don’t know if you’ve ever experienced total darkness. We’re talking really dark, “bottom of a cave in the deepest part of the earth” darkness. It’s quite an experience, let me tell you! In spite of the fact that you know there is no light, you soon find yourself straining to see something, anything that can provide a reference point. For some people the oppressiveness is so powerful, it can actually feel like a physical weight.
So maybe you’ll understand when I tell you that as I looked out the window, there was nothing to see. I mean, literally nothing! No cities, no towns; the sky was so dark the horizon was not even visible. It was as if the windows had been painted black.
I stared out the windows, searching for something, anything, that would tell me there was a world out there. My eyes began to strain, searching for a reference point. Then – in the distance below, I saw the most beautiful sight.
A light. One single light.
As the plane slowly moved closer, just the sight of a reference point out there was enough to somehow comfort me. My eyes fastened on that light as if it were the only thing that mattered. I didn’t care what it was for; being able to watch as it passed by was enough.
But then I began to wonder about that light, and what it represented. In fact, I did more than wonder, I began to be amazed. At 45,000 feet, plus perhaps the same distance away horizontally, that meant the distance to that light was about – let’s see, divide by 37, carry the 8, (excuse me, I have to take off my shoes for this one) – that’s about 12 miles (19 km) away!
I was wonderstruck by the fact that one single light could be visible from such a distance!
So I ask you: Did whoever put the light there intend it to be visible from 12 miles away? Did they go to the Amazonian Hardware Store and say to the proprietor, “Good day to you sir; I’d like a lamp so powerful that airliners can see it 12 miles away!”
Or did they only intend to light up their own little corner of the world?
Sometimes it strikes me nearly speechless (luckily I don’t have to talk to type!) how far a few typewritten words can travel these days, thanks to tools like the internet and blogging. I mean, I discovered a blog the other day written by some guy in Iceland. Iceland! Did he decide one day, “You know, I’m going to reach the world”? Or did he just start writing, expressing himself, and being himself in a way that others could see and appreciate? Then one day, I passed by and saw his light, stopped by for a bit, and grew.
Now if you’re a new blogger, you will probably have said to yourself (at least, oh, a thousand times by now), “Ok, I’m blogging. But is anyone out there reading it?” The fact is, as a blogger, you have a much farther reach than you may ever have thought possible.
So whether an old hand or a beginner, may I just offer you this one little bit of encouragement:
You never know how far your light will shine. Or who, one night, might be flying in darkness and find they are in need of a reference point. Don’t be afraid to turn on the switch. Don’t worry about how much wattage you may or may not have. Just be yourself and let your light shine. They’ll come.
You can be that light in the darkness.
29 responses so far
Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
Hi Bob
How many coincedences are there in the blogosphere??
Was thinking only yesterday about the same, sometimes weird ’scattering’ of blog encounters/blog friends there seems to be (all of a sudden also).
Only, I didn’t come up with such a marvelous ‘light-in-the-dark-sky’ visual picture you paint. All I could think of was a bowl a spaghetti
A bowl of spagetti?!?! Interesting picture… I’ve had times in my life when that described it pretty well!
You’re right – it’s weird how the same theme seems to play around all at once. Seredipity? Maybe…
Bob,
Excellent post, and very encouraging.
Love the metaphor. I used to fly across Africa at night and feel the isolation and loneliness. Seeing a fire or light was not just comforting but oriented me – to even myself. You really captured the experience I’ve sometimes had and the times when the questions pop up for me as a blogger – is anyone out there? What am I writing for? Thanks for the comfort and orientation as a light in the darkness!
Tariq, thanks for the kind words.
Yes, It was over 25 years ago, and made such an impression it is still vivid in my mind today. Dave, I appreciate your comments, and am encouraged by your visit.
Thanks for dropping by!
[...] Whatever you know, don’t be afraid to share it! You might just change a life! Here’s a post that illustrates this. [...]
Thanks for resurfacing this post Robert – it’s a really lovely, powerful piece of writing
Thank you, Joanna. I appreciate your encouraging words; this is one of my very favorite posts.
Hi Robert, just wanted to say I’d come back to read this post – was looking for it for someone. It’s moved me to tears all over again.
I think all bloggers should be given this to pin up by their PCs!
Joanna
Howdy, Joanna! You know, this is STILL one of my favorite posts! Hope it helps your friend.
If anyone wants it, it’s one of the stories in my (free!) ebook, Poke It With A Sharp Stick. You can download it by clicking on this link.
Bob, I had been feeling kind of blue about blogging and Joanna Young sent me the link to this post. I didn’t know either of you last year but your light continues to shine. Like Joanna, I was moved to tears. I know that the bible urges us to let our light shine but with blogging you often feel like no one is seeing it but you. I think I will take Joanna’s advice and pin this to my wall. This is a beautifully written piece that has lost none of its impact a year later. Thank you.
Karen, I’m so pleased the friend Joanna mentioned is you! I’m glad it helped – after all this time, this is still one of my own favorites!
When I saw it, I too was reminded of Jesus’ words: “Let your light so shine before men…”
Robert,
It is encouraging to think that we can actually be that light. The nature of the beast is that people will click in and out of our blogs and we may never know if we made a difference in their lives. Just like the person in the Amazon Basin never knew their light would be helpful to someone writing blogs, because of the insight of one traveling overhead!
Keep up the good work!
Sally Fergusons last blog post..The CLASSeminar is Coming!
Love this post, Robert!
Since it was written before I even knew your blog existed (only a little over a month after I first began blogging), I’m so glad to have had the opportunity to read it and benefit from your words of wisdom. Thanks for resurrecting it!
Your story just goes to show that, while a very bright light can dispel all darkness, the deepest darkness has no power to extinguish even the tiniest pinpoint of light. And that’s a real encouragement to us as bloggers — and people — as we strive to let our own lights shine.
That tiny pinpoint of light barely visible in your photo truly is a symbol of hope!
Shine on!
Jeanne
Thank you! In the fullness of time I’ll write a little post that links to this one.
Jean Browman–Cheerful Monks last blog post..Learning to Swim
@Sally – Howdy, Sally, and thank you so much for your kind comment.
It’s kinda been a mission of mine to remind us writers how much influence we really have, even when we’re not aware of it. And of course there’s the corollary: along with influence comes, um, responsibility! (sound of terrified scream)
Keep writing, Sally, and thanks for dropping by!
@Jeanne – You’re absolutely right about that, Jeanne. I think that’s the most encouraging point about the whole thing, really. As long as the light is shining, there’s hope!
@Jean – Hey, I look forward to reading it, Jean. I’m glad you came by!
[...] to the point it knocks you for six. If you ever wonder why you write or why you blog try reading A Light In the Darkness. It’s the perfect antidote to writers’ block. Here’s a short extract: You [...]
[...] A Light in the Darkness, by Robert Hruzek (a post that changed things for more than one [...]
[...] A Light in the Darkness is a great inspirational read for anyone who writes online and wonders if they’re heard. No Comments, Comment or Ping [...]
Excellent post! As a fellow blogger, I found this post very insightful and inspirational!
There are so many people who come to my own blog and find things that I wrote years ago — total strangers thanking me for writing about the solution to a particular problem. It always puts a smile on my face.
The Internet has really created an awesome medium for communication and information.
Raam Devs last blog post..A Light in the Darkness
I know what you mean, Raam; just the other day someone commented on my second-oldest post from 2-1/2 years ago!
Hey, you never know…
Thanks for droppin’ by, Bubba; don’t forget to come back sometime!
[...] A light. One single light.”( Excerpt from A Light in the Darkness”) [...]
Thanks for directing me to this post, Robert. I’ll keep the light on!
Terros last blog post..To Mom, With Love
@Terro – Good for you! Hey, you never know…
Hey Robert, stumbled on your writing thru Confident Writing blog and really glad I did. This is a very inspiring piece of writing and thank you for it. Am new to this whole world, have only been blogging for a week and thinking about purpose. Your post helped me to focus that. I’ll be back, especially when I need that light. Thanks again.
@Anita – Hey, glad you dropped by, Anita. Especially since you came via my good friend Joanna!
Keep that light shining!