Someone Is Using Your Light Right Now: A Reflection on Caregiving, Hope, and the Power of Community

Art by JungSuk Lee

I believe in the power of words to inform, educate, and inspire. I also believe in the power of poetry and art to soothe and lift the soul. And most of all, I believe in the power of community and interconnectedness, where we share our light with others. I’d like to share something I wrote in the Caregiver Wisdom Online Community about a poem that inspires me, and perhaps may inspire you: Pour your light out. Someone is using it right now to guide their way back home.

The below poem written by John Roedel speaks to why I launched Caregiver Wisdom, and why I pour so much of my heart, time, and energy into it. When I lose my heart to the growing darkness, I look up, at the blinking night sky, I don’t try to take in the entire cluster of stars— I train my eyes on a single one at a time. I become obsessed with the stars I can barely see, ~ the ones that look like candles about to drown in their own celestial wax and how old their light is by the time it reaches me. It’s like reading a postcard from time, the twinkle of a blaze that may have faded long ago but is resurrected inside the magic room of my eyes. Science tells us these hard-to-see stars are long dead, but while I look at them, they are alive again— Yes, the fading star may not burn where it once did, but somehow it exists here, in my sight. I stare into the ghost glow as if it’s sending me a message through each blink. Maybe it is. Actually, to hell with maybe, I know it’s sending me a message and it’s the same one for us all: “I am not ashamed of my light.” It’s such a miracle how these bursts of light can long outlive the host from where they once emerged from thousands of years ago. The faint beams from that distant star might have once sparked life on a rocky moon, or guided a lonely traveler across the dark. The star didn’t worry about its legacy. It only concerned itself with keeping the gleam alive. During its life, it never considered that the light it poured out into the Great Empty would become a lifeline for a tired poet who needed it to keep going. The star blazed unafraid into the darkness— because that was its nature. It didn’t hide itself. It just followed the gospel of reckless shining: “I am not ashamed of my light.” My love, your life follows the same rule. Burn bright. Don’t hide your glow. Let your light pour out. Gleam away. Your legacy isn’t in your body—it’s in the light you cast for someone far away to follow and find their own joy. Pour your light out~tell your story without fear live your life so brightly that it can be seen from a galaxy away. Your glow will outlast your skin and sufferings - and can live for thousands of years Shine forth without fear. Do not be ashamed of your starlight. Someone is using it right now to find their way back home. ~ john roedel

Many thanks to poet John Roedel for expressing these cosmic truths in his powerful lyrical way. It reminds me of how I want to help fellow family caregivers and share the vital lessons I've learned along the way to become more resilient, connected, and joyful. As I shine my light to help others, I am immensely grateful to all of the teachers throughout my life, who have poured their light out and have helped make me who I am today. Those teachers include all of my struggles & life experiences. They include my parents, my Zen teachers, my school teachers, and my coaches. They include my family, my friends, my former managers and colleagues, my students, and my community. They include fellow caregivers who share so authentically in “Thrive as a Caregiver” group courses or in the free monthly support group meetings I lead. Just like stars, they have poured their lights out, which has helped guide my way. And now I am dedicated to pouring my light out to help others. I believe we are all here on this Earth to love, grow, and share with each other. I am grateful when we show up for each other so authentically. We are all learning and growing together. Thank you for being part of the Caregiver Wisdom community. Remember to shine your light. Someone is using it right now to guide their way back home.