As I was going through my book collection the other day I came across a book I had in my possession but had not yet read. Ernest Hemmingways 'For whom the bell tolls'.The book was old and stained an aged brown and I tired to recall whether it was the descendent of a purchase from an old neighbours garage sale or a purchase from one of the many musty second hand book stores I dicovered during my travels in England. I turned it over in my hands and found the corner to open it's cover. Inside I was met with John Donne's poem, 'No Man is an Island'.
Although familiar with it's saying I had never actually read the poem and I was struck by what Donne expressed. He said "Any mans death diminshes me, because I am involved in mankind."
Only days later I stumbled upon the news that a man I once knew, a good man had unexpectedly passed away in his sleep. My eyes burnt with tears as I mourned his loss, as I mourned the loss that the world had experienced as a light of goodness had dimmed and faded away.
As tears flowed I questioned my affection for this man. Was my love for him truly great enough to warrant such an response. It was. But more than that, though thousands of miles away on the other side of the world I mourned with his family. I pained at their loss, I pained that the bright, happy spark of a man who had been their husband, father and friend had gone and with it his light. Only it's afterglow would live on in the memories that we shared of him.
So with his passing I began to reflect upon the things he had taught me, he had taught me to be brave. He had taught me not to let fear become my master but to overcome my fear that I could be a greater and stronger source of love and service to those who may need me.
As I sit here and reflect upon this, upon the impact this has on my life, upon the impact this has at this point in time for me I am led to acknowledge that greatness is a quality so generously applied to many but is only made home in some. And when we see it, the greatness within us is sparked and that little light is there always, forever burning waiting for us to give it home within us too. If only we knew how it's beginnings are sparking within each of us.
I am thankful, that I have been fortunate enough to meet with some of the worlds most brilliant and great people.
