I will be light
On November 26, 2008 all across Mumbai horror struck as terrorist from Pakistan swarmed different building including two hospitals, a cinema, a hotel, and a Orthodox Jewish owned Nariman house. These attacks lasted for three days and left at least 173 dead. Two of the people found dead was a rabbi by the name of Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka Holtzberg. The two were living in Mumbai running a peaceful Jewish center for all. The center did nothing, but offer religious advice for Jews, serve food, and helped those in needs. Though this story is tragic, look close enough and there is a hero to be found.
The Holtzberg’s were also living in Mumbai with their two-year-old son, Moshe. Moshe too would have perished in the attacks if it weren’t for the brave heart of one lady.Sandra Samuel a kitchen worker at the center ran Moshe out of the building during the attacks. As she exited the building the horrified toddler was screaming “Imma, Imma (mother, mother)” This child, who just turned two, was now an orphan.
I don’t tell this story to worry or upset people, but to convey a message. I message that I firmly believe in is the message of light. The idea that everyone has a life and that life contains a light. This light is the only indestructible thing about humans. We can have a feelings hurt and our heart broken, but what you leave on this earth is here to stay. This light that each of us carry around with us can be used to brighten the darkness or it can be used to illuminate the bad.
I started really thinking about this concept today when I heard people discussing the 3rd world vs. the 1st. This idea just sounds so unnatural to me. The fact that we can separate where we are from the country next to us by the use of the word “world” is just odd. Last time I looked at the globe we were all on the same planet. To alienate someone just because of his or her class or status seems so wrong when you think about it. Now, I know these words are just a term, but I think as soon as we start thinking about this world as one the better. We all live the same life and we all have the same amount of life (and love to offer). To better a 3rd world country would be to better the world.
We have all seen how so little can go so far in a person’s life. Today, I was talking to a 20 year old rickshaw driver who was asking me about the States. You could tell he just wanted to know about a place that he will probably never get to go. As we talked I got out a one-dollar bill and handed it to him. After much debate, he finally accepted it with a huge smile. He shook my hand then brought his hand over his heart with a smile and a bow. I was once again amazed at what little I had to do to make this man’s day. When I really thought about it though, I realized I was exactly the same.
See, before I picked up the rickshaw I was walking around the Lotus Temple when a family stopped three of us. The mother came up to us and through broken English asked if we would be in a picture with her daughter. You could tell that the daughter was too shy to ask her self and when we agreed her eyes instantly lit up. That moment right there made my day. For the rest of the day I thought about that girl’s smile and how a group of strangers shared a day-making moment.
Your light can be a volunteer trip in India, or a fundraiser. Your light can be a U.S. dollar, or a friendly smile. Your light can be anything, just please don’t make it bad.
ANOTHER HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT-
Now I know none of you readers are using your light for bad, but we don’t want that light to be neutral either! So here’s the assignment! Make someone’s day by choosing one or all of the following.
1- Ask someone how you can make his or her day and then make that happen! Whatever they ask for, you’re doing it.
2- Talk to two people you haven’t talked too much, be it at school, work, the gym, wherever. Just go talk to them and learn about their life.
3- Go somewhere and ask to get your picture taken with them. If they look good, fun, pretty, or have good clothes tell them! Say that is why you want a photo with them, it’ll make them happy I promise.
4- Just do something goofy for people to see. Dance in the mall, go to school or work is a costume, be creative!
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS PROJECT IS TO…… TELL ABOUT YOUR EXPERIMENT HERE! SEND A PHOTO, TELL THE STORY, JUST LET EVERYONE KNOW HOW YOU USED YOUR LIGHT TODAY.
I REALLY HOPE YOU GUYS DO THIS, PLEASE! BE APART OF SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL!
(if you guys have trouble adding comments, just email me what you got at fusedotnet@fuse.net, I will put it up).
To help fuel your inspiration I have added a song about light here. This song is actually by Matisyahu who was a friend of the Holtzberg family.Listen to it and get out there! Thanks and much love!
JAKE
I will be Light- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0_u_vxsQxE
The Lyrics.
Sit back
And in these days
Remember my ways
Oh will i get out of my cage?
Yes i am a slave
Searching for some freedom
Searching for some freedom
So intend to sing them
Songs to spark, memories
What is a man with no history?
Where am i ?
Who am i ?
What is this place?,
We’re just spinning in space
I will be light
I will be light
I will be light
I will be light
Time will continue without you
So in the end
Its not about you
But,
What did you do?
Who do you love besides you
Beside you, many died in the name of vanity
Many die,in their mind’s eye, for justice
We die for you
And still do
So i say to you
This is nothing new
I will be light
I will be light
I will be light
I will be light
Its/In one tiny moment in time
For life to shine, to shine
Burn away the darkness
You’ve got one tiny moment in time
x7 For life to shine, to shine
To burn away the darkness
I will be light
I will be light
I will be light
I will be light light light light
I will be light
I will be light light light light
