My mom always used to say, "Be salt and light of this world." Lately, those words have stuck with me.
Everything I do, her words are whispering in my ear. Being the salt and light of this world is a metaphor that refers to the Bible verse Matthew 5:13-16.
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
It took me a long time to understand these verses actually meant. And once understood, it was quite simple. I came to a realization that being the salt means that you are your own true self. It is embracing your own individuality and being rooted. It is not conforming to the society but joyfully accepting the differences. Although there maybe 7 billion people in this world, all of us have different personality. Each one of us comes from different upbringing, background, culture, and perception. This creates a world with 7 billion individuals, all with extra spices to share with this world. When we pretend to be something else, we lose the spices of our own. It is no longer our individuality but an image of something that is no longer authentic. Being different in this world is the best blessing. It allows you to see things in different perception, make changes, and innovate. Being salt of this world allows you transform something bland to something exciting.
I came to a realization that being the light means providing love and hope. It is embracing the individuality of others and helps others be rooted. It is to provide compassion and empathy. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." Sharing little bit of kindness, your smiles, your sincere love, it is those simple things that will have you become the light in this world. It doesn't take much to show love and hope in this world. But it is the genuine heart of love that provides extra confidence to those who need it, a shoulder to lean on, and a cane to help stand up. It is only then the light shines upon the darkness that seems to be over us. Being the light of this world allows you to illuminate something dark to something bright.
You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.