the Bright Army - Honoring Humanity In Everyday Life

Standing in the Las Vegas airport, I watch a woman play one of the terminal’s many slot machines. Above her, a sign proclaims the promise of a big payoff. With a bit of luck, riches are hers.

She pulls the lever.

Lights flash. The three wheels spin. One by one, they come to a stop, each displaying a different symbol. She’s not a winner this time.

Another dollar bill goes into the machine. She pulls the lever.

Again the lights flash. Again the wheels spin. Again she’s not a winner.

She pulls another bill from her pile. Spin. Spin. Spin. She’s not a winner.

Watching her, I feel sad.

I feel sad for her hunched frame. It’s as though she knows the promise of riches is a false one. She’s resigned to her fate, but refuses to stop or change anything.

I feel sad for her wasted resources. More likely than not, she’ll never see that money again.

But most of all, I feel sad for me. I think of all the ways I misuse my resources. I think of the opportunities I waste.

***

seeds scattered upon
dry, dead, and desert soil
remain dry and dead

I’ve been given so much. Yet I squander it sometimes.

I spend money on products and experiences that don’t add value to me, let alone anyone else.

Spin. Spin. Spin.

I waste time consuming media and entertainment that doesn’t enrich my life, or the lives of those around me.

Spin. Spin. Spin.

I fail to act on the knowledge and wisdom at my disposal. I have more than enough information to take the next step but keep searching for the latest advice or inspiration.

Spin. Spin. Spin.

I neglect relationships. I forget birthdays. I don’t offer encouragement when it’s needed. I don’t pick up the phone to call and say hello to an old friend.

Spin. Spin. Spin.

Sometimes I’m like the woman in front of that slot machine. I gamble away the resources I’ve been given. Maybe my gamble will make me happy. Maybe my gamble will change the world. Yet, deep down, I know it won’t.

***

seeds planted with care
buried in the fertile earth
sprout in abundance

You have the opportunity to invest your time, money, attention, and knowledge. Invest in what multiplies.

Donate to a cause. Charity:water provides clean water across the globe. The Hope for Life Center in Nakuru, Kenya offers hope to a community affected by AIDS. These are a few of the many organizations transforming the world. A small donation to one of them multiplies over and over, touching hundreds of people.

Create art. Pour your talents into a project that makes a difference to someone. Be it painting, writing, organizing, connecting, or something else, do work that matters.

Share what you know. If you overcame a challenge, you can help another person facing that issue. Your knowledge and insight can empower them to change themselves and others.

Show kindness. Send a letter to a friend. Compliment a stranger. Smile. And from your kindness the recipient may go and spread that joy to others.

The acts may seem small, but like a stone dropped in a still pond, each investment creates a ripple. It spreads far beyond the point of impact.

***

ignore all the seeds
laying dead on barren earth
for many did grow

Looking back, it’s easy to become discouraged about all the opportunities wasted. The beauty, however, is you get another chance. Each day offers new possibilities. Learn from the past, but move on. Focus on what you can do right now.

Today is another opportunity to invest in what multiplies. What will you do with it?

###

PHOTO: Once no more than seeds. Kenya.

6 responses

Frances Schagen – July 10th, 2012
With an abundance mind set we acknowledge that we can’t use all our resources, but that we have a responsibility (and a deep desire) to use some of them. I love what you say about every day being a new opportunity to do our best.
George Mihaly – July 10th, 2012
Love the story and your perspective Joshua :) Right after I read this article, I thought of a note I have been keeping on my refrigerator for the past several weeks with a favorite saying introduced to me by Dale Carnegie, “I shall pass this way but once; any good therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” Great to connect with you and hope to stay in touch :) -George
David Delp – July 10th, 2012
I used to design video games for the gambling industry. That fleeting thrill of possibility followed by the sight of chaos (spinning symbols) brought to order is so compelling. We called it the “if only I” button. (Most people just push a button for the feeling instead of pulling the lever.) If only I was rich, I could …. If only I was thin … If only I was faster If only I was someone else …. How can we shift our thrill seeking from this lonely yearning to be something we aren’t toward doing something, anything in the real world, and not caring one hyootie about being anything other than the doer of what we are doing, right now, right here? That is my question.
Joshua Harbert – July 11th, 2012
Frances, I find that when I focus on today, I have more than enough to pay attention to. :) George, Thanks for the quote by Dale Carnegie. It’s a great one. David, It’s a hard switch, but it can be done. I’ve found two approaches helpful (if we’re open to making the change in the first place). Build positive habits - starting small and building up. Your actions impact how you see yourself - however small they may be. Meditation / mindfulness is decent place to start. Surround yourself with people who actively engage the present. Let their mindset rub off on you. Hope that helps. :)
Josephine Kiarii – July 15th, 2012
It is unfortunate some things like a process of positive life transformation to the readers, consumers and funs for your articles cannot be measured to assure and convince you Josh that worth seeds you have planted. Long life, sustainable trees grow gradually, sometimes unnoticed but steadily, they are growing. (Maybe my gamble will change the world. Yet, deep down, I know it won’t). From above quote, it feels like you dont notice change your articles have made but imagine we keep hopefully waiting weekly to learn something new from your enrichment. I thought so five years back a boy (Stephen) expressed interest into being a church minister and reluctantly shared with your dad Scott and he discipled the boy, then went to bible college. Today he is a graduant having qualified as a pastor, now with a church, but imagine I always thought this is another wasted resource but a seed planted from deep down the heart where no one but God sees will never ever go to waste it is God’s seed. We might be unlucky to physically witness growth and change but let us be convinced it is growing somewhere and God can see. You are a great life transformer
Joshua Harbert – July 15th, 2012
Thanks, Josephine. I’m so grateful for the seeds I have gotten to plant on good soil. I know I’ve made investments (many through my articles) in what multiplies. Yet I also know I have much still to work on. Sometimes (not always, but sometimes) I waste time and squander resources. The quote refers to those times I fall short (sorry for any confusion). It’s a reminder that I have room to grow - that do not always rise to the standard of excellence I’m called to. And as I said in the article, today is another chance. That’s what I focus on. :)

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