I have followed photographer/speaker/author Karen Walrond at www.chookooloonks.com for several years and I love her photography and the tone of her writing. She is very soothing. She also provides links to her favorite songs on her playlist, which has introduced me to some fun new (to me) musicians. In December, she is offering a guided journal type writing course called Advent of Light and since I was looking for a way to focus some time on writing, I signed up.  I’m already behind, because life is busy, but thought I’d take a few minutes to pound out a few words from Day 3’s prompt: Light.

I’ve been reading the Harry Potter series out loud to my kids (this is an annual tradition) and as the series progresses, the tone of the writing and the content get darker and more complicated. There are people who are turned off of the series because of this, but I find it fascinating, because with each volume, as the situations and experiences of Harry and his friends get darker and more frightening, the forces of good and love at work in the novels burn steadily brighter, and ultimately show out to a happy and hopeful resolution.  There is suffering and pain and loss, but through it all, is light and hope that good will triumph. I’m drawn to this series precisely because of that, and am often inspired and reassured by a quote from the film adaptation of the book Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: “Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

When I consider the times in my life that have felt the darkest, I have always managed to cling to the little fire burning within me that insists life is worth the fight. Sometimes the little flame needs some kindling by way of a good work out, a good laugh with my husband, a rambly talk with a friend, a ranty email to my mom, an hour poring over some Shakespearean tragedies (I’m weird that way), a good cry, a long nap, or a heart-to-heart,-no holds-barred talk with God. All these things build up the light in my world. I hope then, that I can share my light and help others build up their own.