This week’s story is written by Silvana Messing-Notari from Castlemaine, in Victoria, Australia. Enjoy!
A week ago, I was feeling unhappy and slightly depressed. Wherever I looked, it seemed a smoke screen blocked the light from shining into my Soul. I spent a good seven days in a haze.
I prayed every night before sleep, asking the heavenly beings to help me, but I could not hear them. I was too deep into feeling sorry for myself. Then one morning just before waking, I heard the voice of one of my Spiritual Mentors. If you ever feel the light vanishing from your soul, do a good deed for someone else; there is no room for victimhood in the act of giving.
Yea, Yea I thought to myself, I already know all about that. I went about my day, dismissing the voice. In the hope that a good book would distract me, I went to the library. Once there, not knowing which book to choose, I felt worse than before. I left and went to the second hand store, only to walk out again because of a dispute between a customer and the clerk. This is not working, I thought, and I stormed towards my car to drive home.
On the way, I noticed that the fire brigade depot had their doors wide open— all the trucks ready to drive off on an urgent call. Suddenly, I felt as if someone’s hand was pushing me behind my head. Turn here, the voice said. Park around the corner and go and tell these people who are about to go and save lives how much you appreciate them. I knew I had no choice, so I stopped the car, crossed the road, and walked up to one of the truck drivers. He was a bit surprised, but asked, Can I help you? with a kind smile. I just came to let you know how much I appreciate the work you do. You people do such an amazing job putting your life at risk for the community. Thank you. I would love to give a donation.
Oh! Thanks for your kind words, the man replied. People don’t usually come to tell us this; it is always uplifting and encouraging to hear that we are appreciated. He passed my gratitude on to the rest of the team who also thanked me. Unfortunately, he explained, they were not able to accept my donation at the fire station.
While driving home, I remembered that once a month at the local market the Country Fire Authority have collection buckets at the entrance. I shall drop my donation in one of their little buckets, I thought. Within minutes, the haze had lifted. I felt lighter and more at peace. My heart opened.
We are blessed with the right to choose in this precious life. Here I chose to listen, to let the inner voice guide me, and to trust in the miracle of giving. The light returned to open my heart—and the act of giving and receiving came full circle.