By DiAnn Mills @DiAnn Mills
Kaleidoscopes show us the many characteristics of light and color. With the twist of the wrist, mirrors and colored pieces of material, usually glass, reflect the beauty in various shapes. Each glimpse of the art becomes a gift for those who appreciate a dynamic creation. Much like each one of us is a unique gift to the world.
How we react to life’s ups and downs reflects how we examine and process life.
Every experience fuels an emotion that adds light and color to our image. We can choose to enjoy the splendor and cultivate hope or we can block every hint of it.
The most ordinary of shapes are made spectacular through a kaleidoscope’s lenses. Similarly, ordinary lives become extraordinary when courageous people choose to defy odds that could otherwise keep them chained to a dull, formless worldview.
A display of lives explodes across the horizon. People empty themselves of selfishness and greed to let goodness mirror their actions.
- An underprivileged youth works hard to attend college and help his siblings continue their education.
- A woman forsakes a life of abuse and seeks counseling.
- A retired couple forms a nonprofit to help military personnel who are struggling with PTSD.
- A wealthy businessman sells his/her firm to serve as a missionary.
- A group of neighborhood teens does odd jobs for shut-ins.
To live a kaleidoscope life, we use all our resources to war against the dark, ugly shapes that have the power to stagnate our mental, spiritual, and physical growth. Our yesterdays do not define us, and we are determined to turn heartache and pain into a life lesson that makes us stronger.
We need setbacks to help us focus on what is important. Most of the time, the critical need isn’t ourselves. We accept truth as reality and apply it to the way we react and respond to every life happening. With new information, we can re-evaluate how we spend our time, love our families, work successfully in our careers, push forward in our goals, and allow kaleidoscope living to shine with light and purpose.
An object viewed through a kaleidoscope never appears the same way twice. Don’t we want to examine the world new every morning?
While we want to ensure our faith, morals, and values remain intact, we also need to examine our core values. If they line up with truth, we are standing on a firm foundation. If they need adjustment, we find the strength to change.
What is one way we can show kaleidoscope living?
