By Maria Sirois
“As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.” – C.G. Jung
Darkness is long now in this part of the world and summer blooms on the other side of the planet. The new year dawning brings a mix of joy and sorrow, connection and loneliness, and yet in some parts of every country dates mean little—there is only hunger, thirst, injustice or terror. As far as we can discern, there is little we can manage except exactly the one thing we can manage—who we are in the moments we’ve been given. Wherever we are as this year turns to close, whoever we have been, what matters most is who we choose to be. Everything we do counts. Every act of kindness or health, every move toward self-love or self-care energizes us and fills us, not just for our own benefit, but for those around us. Positive transformation is about improving our own lives and it is never just about us. The meaning of our lives must include others as well. It is always about us and about who we impact, the good we can bring beyond ourselves. As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of our existence is to bring light to ourselves in order to kindle light wherever we go, with whomever we touch.
Dr. Maria Sirois, PsyD, is the Vice President of Curriculum at Wholebeing Institute and an inspirational speaker, seminar leader, and author who has worked at the intersections of wellness, psychology, and spirituality for nearly 20 years. As a wellness guide, Maria has been invited to keynote throughout the country at conferences for wellness centers, hospitals, hospices, philanthropy, business, academic and corporate institutions, as well as for the general public. She has been called both a “true teacher” and “an orator of great power and beauty.” Her book, “Every Day Counts: Lessons in Love, Faith, and Resilience from Children Facing Illness, was published in 2006.”