Walk In The Light

It was a mild October night, weeks after the horrific September 11 terrorists attacks on our nation. With a mix of anticipation and apprehension, my husband, children and I, entered the gates of the North Carolina state fair. The fair lights illuminated the sky as thousands of fair attendees attempted to escape into hours of fun and fantasy. While trying to temporarily remove the overshadowing fear that more tragedy may be imminent, the excessive police security constantly reminded us of our nation's tragic events.

Despite the constant reminders, we went about as usual, playing games, enjoying the rides, and consuming loads of food. Before we knew it, the thrill was gone, our bellies were full, and our time at this annual event was concluding. We retraced our previous path, searching for the exit, while making pit stops along the way.

All of a sudden, we stepped out of the illuminating light into darkness. The fair lights vanished -- though only in a certain area -- our area. What happened? Could it be another terrorist attack, or just a coincidence? Glancing around at fellow fair attendees, I calmly observed actions and reactions. Amazingly, hundreds continued walking around in the dark, as though things were okay, never trying to go toward the light. Like us, others chose to take the necessary steps to follow the light -- the light that would lead us to the exit. Step after step, we finally reached the light.

This darkness is symbolic of life. Many of us consciously choose to stay in the dark areas of our lives with unsatisfying jobs, meaningless relationships, and unfulfilling lives. Knowing that the light surrounds us, we choose to remain in the dark. Only by taking the necessary steps will we see the light out of our situations. If we never take the steps, we will never see the light of fulfillment and purpose.

Today, examine your situation and then take the necessary steps toward the light. For there, you will find the life you've deservingly longed for. Who knows -- the light may only be one step away.

__________________________________________________

Copyright ? 2002 by Audrina Jones Bunton. REPRINTING THIS ARTICLE: Permission is granted to reproduce or distribute this article only in its entirety and provided copyright is acknowledged. You can find other articles to choose from at http://www.purposefully-living.com/mail ing%20list.htm

_________________________________________________

Motivational Speaker, Audrina Jones Bunton was born the seventh of eight children in her household in Pinehurst, North Carolina into a loving and committed Christian home. As she has 2 children, over 40 nieces and nephews and great- nieces and nephews, it is not unusual to find her under the same roof with many of her maternal five-generation family on weekends and on holidays. In her youth, she fondly recalls traveling throughout the U.S. with her family, as her parents ministered from state to state year after year-helping people as they traveled.

A graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, Audrina is a Competent Toastmaster of Toastmasters International and serves as the North Carolina District Sergeant At Arms. She is a former counselor of the Durham Pregnancy Support Services, a Christian-oriented crisis pregnancy center in Durham, North Carolina and is currently a Social Research Assistant at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Audrina is currently studying at the Master's Divinity School in Evansville, Indiana with a combined concentration in Biblical Counseling and IABC certification.

She also serves as the Youth Director at the Come As You Are Evangelistic Center in Aberdeen, North Carolina where her mother, Lydia Jones is the pastor.

Modeling after a song that her mother so often sings, and one that Martin Luther King, Jr. often quoted, her life and speeches are based on the following lyrics, "If I can help somebody as I pass along, If I can cheer somebody with a word or song, If I can show somebody he's traveling wrong, Then my living will not be in vain."

Audrina resides with her husband William, and 2 children, Audrina Lorraine and William Woodrow.

---

Get Started! Do Something!

This is about getting started. Taking that first step. It is so easy to moan about our lives and complain that things aren't how we want them to be. We all do it.... Read More

Letting Events Control Your Life ... Dropping The Negatives And Moving On!

It's interesting to note how we sometimes become so inundated with events in our lives that we allow them to become our lives. Instead of enjoying and nurturing the life we have, we... Read More

The Time To Start Working On Your Dream is Now - Not Later

Most of us are hesitant to start anything because we are afraid we might make a mistake or fail. Go ahead make mistakes! Don't wait for more experience or to be good enough... Read More

Finding A Cure for I Disease

The 21-year-old rookie cop had his big chance to brag on himself at his big news conference. "How do you feel about being the one to capture Eric Rudolph, FBI's Most Wanted?" the... Read More

Motivation: The Power of Vision

Here's an interesting story from the world of race car driving. One of the most important things that beginning race car drivers learn is what to do when they lose control of the... Read More

Break And Move Beyond The Length Of The Chains

"Never let fear, procrastination or the longing for approval from others to take possession of your mind, they become self-forged chains." ~ Ty HowardHave you ever experienced a moment in your life where... Read More

Why Bother About Your Life?

Have you failed to create the life you want, because you are afraid to take risks or leave your comfort zone?Have you turned down an important opportunity because you were nervous and thus... Read More

Questions for the Game of Life

"If you could eliminate one day from your past so that you never had to live through it, what day would you erase?""If you could ask a single question of a dead relative,... Read More

The Lies We Live By

How many times have you lied to get your way?Many cameras today focus automatically on things both far and near.You are inclined to be like that. See, almost everything that you view "in... Read More

You Want Me to Do What?

Most of the time whenever we need to make an important business decision we turn to what is convenient or comfortable. Why is it that we never seem to want to venture out... Read More

How to Stay Motivated - Part 1

As a "Motivation Trainer" for over 20 years, I have researched the subject of "Motivation." It is talked about a lot, but not very much is taught or written about it. It seems... Read More

Is Failure the End of Everything?

"The important thing is to learn a lesson every time you lose." --John McEnroeMuch as we would like, not everything is going to go our way. Even if we prepare for what we... Read More

Lazy? Or Right on Schedule

Q. I've been working on a big project for a long time. Although I try to move ahead every day, sometimes I have to force myself to accomplish even a small task. When... Read More

Persistence

One of the keys to being successful in anything you do is persistence. Persistence & patience are two wheels. Whenever there is persistence; patience must be co-existed, else you will be like a... Read More

No, Fear! The Success is Yours (1)

Fear is the minds great mortal sin.And isn't it just at times when you have to risk something, that you Fear? Think about it! You've had a great idea but you don't tell... Read More

If I Had 24 Hours To Live

A few years back, the ex-recording artist, turned Pastor, turned recording artist again, Mase, had a record out called "If I Had 24 hours to live?"During the song, he, and a couple of... Read More

Taking Action NOW: 9 Key Strategies...Part I

Awareness, understanding what impacts you!Awareness makes it possible for you to begin to understand what is happening in your life, what is missing in your life, or even what you did or didn't... Read More

Self Determination - Making the Most Out of You

Breaking the mold of being a child is difficult. The mere addition of years does not make that happen. The dependency many adults choose, in fact, keeps them in a child-like mentality. If... Read More

The Downward Spirals Of Life - Top Ten Steps For Freeing Ourselves From

Some people call them vicious circles or cycles. I prefer to think of them as downward spirals of life. Those periods that we can all become trapped in like the whirlpool of water... Read More

Daily Motivation: 7 Methods

Isn't a lack of daily motivation one of the biggest problems we face when trying to better ourselves? We often know what to do, or at least the first few steps. But we... Read More

What Makes You Special?

Many people are too busy today trying to fit themselves into the image of other people. This ranges from physical appearance to dressing mannerism right to extreme character imitations.And although I can understand... Read More

Heres How Tiger, Oprah, And Spielberg Stay Motivated

I want to share with you a powerful principle that I've used to change my life and that you can use to unleash your greatness.Tiger Woods knows this.Bruce Springsteen knows this.Oprah Winfrey knows... Read More

Finding Yourself: Finding Passion Series - 1 of 3

We have been told that the things we don't like in our children are the same things we don't like in ourselves. We are told that we project our own flaws and issues... Read More

Half Dome, A Story About Your Future Success

The physical journey mirrors very accurately the spiritual journey of your own life. It was one of the toughest things you've ever done. Hike two miles to the bottom of the first waterfall,... Read More

Can One Person Increase Motivation in Another Person?

The answer is yes, of course, right? People motivate other people. After all, what about coaches and inspirational speakers? They are paid to motivate other people to do great things.But ask the parent... Read More

The Ultimate Kick-butt Motivational Lesson

How often have you struggled with yourself over the work that needs to be done? How many times have you put off performing some task or other because it's too mundane?Not everything you... Read More

Trust the ?System? ? It Works!

The "System" ? the overall structure and organization of this great creation that we're a part of? including our ability to personally interact with (and benefit from) the spiritual aspects of this creation... Read More

Stained Glass Windows

Elizabeth Kubler Ross once said, "People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun comes out, but when the darkness sets in, their beauty is revealed only if there... Read More

Facing Our Fears

'You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.'Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962),... Read More