Light

Scout is my dog’s name. Wild, crazy, lover of all things fun!

When she was a puppy she got into the mud in the backyard. Fun! And proceeded to fling it on all my walls as she ran through the entire house. Fun! As she got older she mellowed out. Instead of mud flinging, she settled into her daily naps.

Until she found the light.

A few months ago Scout started to notice reflections on the walls. Sometimes they would come from rays of light from the sun, other times they would come from a watch reflection, or my iPhone reflection. She would chase the reflection all around the house. Often times I would tease her and twist the reflection around the room as quickly as possible. She never took her eyes off the light.

Recently, I have found her staring at the ceiling or walls waiting intently for the light to come back, and when it does her gaze does not falter. Food doesn’t even distract her from the light. It’s funny because at first I found her obsession very annoying and then I heard myself today.

I said, “Gosh, Scout never loses sight of the light. She is always searching for it, always waiting for it.”

You see, Scout was completely content with her naps. Life was easy and full in her eyes; she had no idea what she was missing. Yet once she found the light, she became obsessed with seeking more light; never losing sight of it. And it made me wonder how many of us are content with our full lives, not knowing what we are missing.

 I have another dog, Bear. He searches for the light as well, but he isn’t as intent. He will run to it when it is there, but if it isn’t present, he doesn’t wait for it. This made me wonder, which am I? Am I constantly searching for the light; waiting for it when it isn’t there or am I like, Bear, where I will run to it when it’s there, but I won’t seek it out?

There is something beautiful about light. It makes us feel safe when darkness surrounds us. Nothing can hide in it. It glitters and catches the eye. There is just something intrinsically appealing to light. We are all drawn to it… and yet I wonder how persistent am I in seeking it?