In a room shrouded in darkness, even the smallest of candles can provide a radiant glow. So too, when the world is shrouded in the dark of night, the moon can offer a glow to guide our steps. In a similar way, when the rude wind’s wild lament failed Podevin’s heart, Good King Wenceslas turned to him and said:
“Mark my footsteps, my good page; tread thou in them boldly.
Thou shalt find the winter’s rage freeze thy blood less coldly.”
As the legend goes, when Podevin followed in his master’s footsteps, he found heat in the very sod which the Saint had printed—allowing him to continue on their journey to bring food, drink, and firewood to those in need of comfort from the bitter weather.
The world can sometimes feel dark and weary—shrouded by nuances of fear, jealousy, and rage. Yet, like that gentle candle and moon, even the smallest of deeds done with love in our heart can become a beaconing light to guide our way.
When we follow in the footsteps of loving kindness (and tread in them boldly) we find the “winter’s rage” of a seemingly dark and weary world will freeze our blood less coldly—for as the medieval hymn "Tempus Adest Floridum" reminds us (for which the melody of the "Good King Wenceslas" carol is based upon):
“What the cold harmed, the warmth repairs.”
As for me, 2023 has been a year of both cold and warmth, both weariness and light, both challenges and blessings. Even while journeying through the “rude wind’s wild lament,” my secret for staying positive as I stumble along has been to reflect on how I want to show up—for myself and for the people I meet on life’s funny journey. This reflection offers space to remember who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do to shine light into the world.
Whether while facilitating a positivity workshop at a conference, teaching a music class for elementary children, performing a magic show in a theater, or even while simply attending a day’s errands, remembering who I am allows me to be me regardless of what my hands are doing and regardless of where my feet take me.
Recently, on a particularly dark night of the soul, I picked up my yellow ukulele and sang “It’s a Beautiful Day” by Jemaine Edwards. And then I sang it the next day, and again the day after, and then again, again, and again. This song has become a meditation, a prayer, and a gift—for myself and for the world, in the hope we will sincerely believe and take to heart these words:
“Thank you for sunshine, thank you for rain; thank you for joy, thank you for pain—it’s a beautiful day.”
As you enter the New Year, my hope is you may remember who you are and how you shine light into the world—that you may be the gentle candle and moon, providing a radiant glow wherever you go.
“Mark my footsteps, my good page; tread thou in them boldly.
Thou shalt find the winter’s rage freeze thy blood less coldly.”
As the legend goes, when Podevin followed in his master’s footsteps, he found heat in the very sod which the Saint had printed—allowing him to continue on their journey to bring food, drink, and firewood to those in need of comfort from the bitter weather.
The world can sometimes feel dark and weary—shrouded by nuances of fear, jealousy, and rage. Yet, like that gentle candle and moon, even the smallest of deeds done with love in our heart can become a beaconing light to guide our way.
When we follow in the footsteps of loving kindness (and tread in them boldly) we find the “winter’s rage” of a seemingly dark and weary world will freeze our blood less coldly—for as the medieval hymn "Tempus Adest Floridum" reminds us (for which the melody of the "Good King Wenceslas" carol is based upon):
“What the cold harmed, the warmth repairs.”
As for me, 2023 has been a year of both cold and warmth, both weariness and light, both challenges and blessings. Even while journeying through the “rude wind’s wild lament,” my secret for staying positive as I stumble along has been to reflect on how I want to show up—for myself and for the people I meet on life’s funny journey. This reflection offers space to remember who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do to shine light into the world.
Whether while facilitating a positivity workshop at a conference, teaching a music class for elementary children, performing a magic show in a theater, or even while simply attending a day’s errands, remembering who I am allows me to be me regardless of what my hands are doing and regardless of where my feet take me.
Recently, on a particularly dark night of the soul, I picked up my yellow ukulele and sang “It’s a Beautiful Day” by Jemaine Edwards. And then I sang it the next day, and again the day after, and then again, again, and again. This song has become a meditation, a prayer, and a gift—for myself and for the world, in the hope we will sincerely believe and take to heart these words:
“Thank you for sunshine, thank you for rain; thank you for joy, thank you for pain—it’s a beautiful day.”
As you enter the New Year, my hope is you may remember who you are and how you shine light into the world—that you may be the gentle candle and moon, providing a radiant glow wherever you go.
May Your Days Be Merry & Bright --
Jonas Cain
January 1, 2024
January 1, 2024
