Light In Our Lives: 5 Lessons from Diwali

By The Rev. Christopher Smith. Posted on Nov 13th 2012.

The Diwali Festival of Lights shines into our lives with ideas for better living and relationships

heir sisters. Who are the significant people in your life to whom you need to express love and affection? There are times that the gift that you give may be large, but there is also value in giving many smaller gifts – both are valued within the context of Diwali – observers hope to be wither the person who got the largest gift or the most gifts. What are the small things that you could give to your significant other? It is easy as relationships go on to forget the things you used to do at the beginning such as small notes, an extra sweet in a sack meal, etc. These also have value and are great expressions of your love – take this opportunity to try and revive it.

Celebrate the commonality in your spiritual and religious traditions. Find ways to celebrate what you share in common with your significant other. Diwali is shared in common by several world religions and some of the principles within it are shared by even more world religions. Focus on how you can share your faith with each other. This will allow you to be connected on a deeper level.

As we go through this celebration, focus on the lights that are in your life. How is light shining brightly in your life? What does that light point to? What can you commit to doing to be able to grow for yourself? to grow in your relationships? to share with others? May your be blessed with riches and use your wealth well with others. In so doing, you may find wholeness and peace in your life.

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The Rev. Christopher Smith

Counselor/Therapist

The Rev. Christopher L. Smith, LMFT has served as a national leader around mental health issues both within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and in professional counseling organizations. He works directly with individuals, couples, families and supervisees as the Clinical Director of Seeking Shalom in New York City. He also brings his insight to help a wider audience through writing, speaking and consultations.

Location: New York, NY

Credentials: LAC, LMFT, LMHC, MDiv, MS, SAP

Specialties: Couples/Marital Issues, Forgiveness, Spiritual

Website: http://www.SeekingShalom.org

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