"The smallest light dispels the darkness."

By Johann Campbell

How often are you overwhelmed at the scope of the problems facing us. Mass starvation in Africa. Street Children, a growing social ill. Unemployment rising. Cost of living beyond your means. Crime and corruption everywhere. And then we won't even talk about the real issues that face us every day. Will I keep my job? Will I be able to pay my bills? How do I get my children to listen? How can I improve my relationships?

It is too easy in the face of this overwhelming evidence of gloom and despair to give in and get swamped by negativity. I mean what can I do, I am only one person and these problems are so big.

Think of this, in times of chaos lie the greatest opportunities, everyone is waiting for someone else to do something. In times of despair lies the greatest opportunity to do good, to make a difference. You see if all was going well, everything was in order and everyone was positive and happy then you would have to do something quite dramatic to be noticed. But in times of darkness, the darkness of negativity, of gloom and despair then the smallest light makes a big difference.

Strike a match in bright sunshine and only those very near to you can see it and it makes very little difference to the light, but strike a match on a dark night. Suddenly it is not dark anymore and that little light can be seen from a great distance, acting as a beacon, a ray of hope to those in need.

So from today, strive to be a light in the darkness. Look for the positive in all things and if you cannot find anything positive then do not add to the negative. Do not worry about the scope of the problem merely do what you can do, and do it as well as you can. Make sure that you are part of the solution not part of, or the cause of, the problem. realise that "The smallest light dispels the darkness." choose to be that light.

Johann Campbell is an author and motivational speaker and Independent Business Owner affiliated with Harteis International in South Africa.