avatarEmma Holiday

Summary

The article reflects on the Olympic torch as a symbol of hope and solidarity, drawing parallels with the holiday season's potential to inspire acts of kindness and charity, despite the challenges and inequalities in the world.

Abstract

The author of "The Holiday Olympic Torch" draws a metaphorical parallel between the passing of the Olympic torch and the holiday season's capacity to foster unity and compassion. The article acknowledges the harsh realities of life, including suffering and inequality, yet emphasizes the importance of individual contributions to improving the lives of others. The author admits to personal limitations in making a global impact but stresses the significance of small, everyday acts of kindness, which collectively can create a chain of love and humanity. The piece encourages readers to embrace the opportunity to carry and pass on the "torch of hope" during the holidays, suggesting that private acts of kindness are the most impactful. In the face of current global challenges such as the pandemic and political strife, the author calls for a brighter collective effort to spread light and warmth.

Opinions

  • The author believes that while individual efforts may seem small in the face of widespread suffering, they are crucial in making a difference.
  • There is an acceptance of personal limitations in addressing global issues, yet a commitment to contributing positively in smaller ways.
  • The author values acts of kindness and charity that are done without seeking recognition or fanfare.
  • The holiday season is seen as a time when the collective effort to perform acts of kindness can intensify, symbolized by the Olympic torch's burning light.
  • The article suggests that the current global crises necessitate an even greater emphasis on kindness and shared humanity to counteract the prevailing darkness.

The Holiday Olympic Torch

Passing the burning torch of hope

When the world holds the Olympics thousands of people from around the globe carry the Olympic torch, handing it off, one by one, as a symbolic gesture of peace and solidarity. I see the holidays in the same way. I know for many it is a time of stress, for some a time of personal pain, for others a reminder that their life has failed to provide them with the means to celebrate while there are others that lack the basic needs of life.

Unfortunately, it will always be that way. Life does carry with it a certain cruelty. All my life I have done things to make a difference but people continue to suffer. I have come to realize that I am not Mother Theresa nor a doctor with the Doctors Without Borders nor a UN relief worker nor the countless others that are willing to sacrifice all for the good of others. I have thought about it many times but it is not something I am capable of.

I mentally apologize and accept my human limitations.

That doesn’t mean I don’t contribute to improve the quality of life for others. I do so every day in small things and occasionally in bigger ways. It allows my heart to express love.

Every time I do something, I hope that I am passing the burning torch of hope and love onto others and that they will, in turn, pass it on. I have always subscribed to the idea that the best acts of kindness and charity are the ones done privately and without fanfare.

Those are the best ones to witness.

At the same time, each act is the torch of humanity, multiplied with each act as the torch is handed off to others, directly or indirectly, to create a chain of kindness, shared humanity and love around the world. The torch seems to burn brighter during the holidays as we all open up our hearts. This pandemic and the global political strife we are witnessing, unfortunately, has added additional darkness to our world.

We need an even brighter torch this year.

Watch for your opportunity to take the torch and carry it for just a brief moment and then willingly pass it on. The more times we carry it, the more times we share it, the brighter the world will be.

May the light and the warmth of the holidays carry you well into the New Years and beyond.

Emma Holiday

This story is a response to Prism & Pen’s writing prompt “Blaze Against the Dying of the Light”

Other stories so far —

LGBTQ
Humanity
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Creative Non Fiction
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