In a quiet village bordered by ancient woods, there lived a young woman named Elara. Though she lived a peaceful life, she often felt an emptiness she couldn’t name—a sense that something was missing within her.
One afternoon, while walking through the forest, she stumbled upon an old, moss-covered mirror propped against a tree. Curious, she wiped the glass clean. To her surprise, she saw not her reflection, but images of others—people she admired for their strength, kindness, and confidence.
Elara sighed. “Why can’t I be like them?” she whispered.
A soft breeze stirred the leaves, and a voice—gentle but clear—spoke:
“You are not meant to be like them. Their light shines to remind you of your own.”
Startled, Elara looked again. This time, her reflection appeared, but something was different. Her eyes sparkled, her posture was strong, and a warm glow surrounded her.
She remembered moments of courage—when she had comforted a grieving friend, spoken truth when it was hard, or simply shared kindness without expecting anything in return. These moments, though small, were her light.
The voice returned.
“The light you see in others exists in you too. It always has. It only needs your trust to shine.”
Tears welled in her eyes—not of sadness, but of recognition. She finally saw herself as she truly was: not empty, not lacking, but radiant and whole.
Elara left the woods different from how she entered. She no longer sought approval from others or compared her journey to theirs. She walked with grace, knowing that her light mattered—just as everyone’s did.
And from that day forward, whenever she encountered someone whose light shone brightly, she no longer felt small. Instead, she smiled, silently thanking them for the reminder to keep her own light glowing.
audio version:
Service Reflection
The central teaching threaded through the service is:
We are all interconnected, part of one divine creation, and each of us carries a unique inner light and truth. By recognising and honouring this light—within ourselves, in others, and in nature—we walk in harmony, purpose, and divine love.
Key sub-themes:
- The “Web of Life” metaphor: We are not separate but woven into the same fabric as all life.
- The meditation and prayer focus on trusting our own path, embracing our truth, and knowing we are never alone.
- The story “The Light Within” reinforces the idea that each person has innate wisdom and a spark of the divine that can shine brightly when acknowledged.
