Buddha’s last words were “Make of Yourself a Light.”

Make of yourself a light. There are places here in America that are becoming darker. It is not the beautiful dark of nighttime when the stars shine, or the moon rises, or the clouds move in and still the night. No, it is the darkness of deception, of lies, of oppression, of hatred.

So yes, make of yourself a light. Be that underground railroad. Be that voice speaking up and out against injustice, against deception, against harm. Make of yourself a light, even if it’s only to get to the next solid stone on the rocky path, even if it means reaching out a hand to steady another while your own boot sinks in the cold creek, even it means you must go alone to find a way.

Make of yourself a light. Find what is good and true and sing it with harmony and grace. Join your voice with others who may have the words but need the tune. Tell the stories that must be told. Make of yourself a light, and when that means you have to claw your way out of the deep hole again, then find a way to patch the cuts and bruises, feed your soul what will nourish it, and don’t bother about the blood stains you may leave behind.

Just keep moving toward that light that you are.