call to arms - and hearts and souls

we have been issued a challenge:

cave to the negativity
or rise above it. 

these are the moments in your life that matter, that define you. 
when things don't go the way you'd hoped
when you thought you were on the cusp 
of the end of the negativity
and that things would get better.
how do you choose to respond? 

:: the light is you ::

when you are ensconced in darkness
it may seem as if darkness
is all that exists - 

that there can only be more
of what you are feeling
and experiencing.

but the truth of the matter
is that at the core of darkness
one finds light.

as long as you live and breathe
as long as you have choices to make
it's there.

you must trust
and open,
because the light is you. 

set yourself free
and shine.

for when you do, 
you illuminate the world.

-----

and people - 
we need to become beacons 
bright bold and guiding. 

give yourself some time to mourn, to let the shock subside and then dig deep.

because this is our reality.

there's no use 
in wishing for something different. 

we've been given 
another opportunity 
to rise  
and shine. 

do you accept it?