Quote of the day by Mata Amritanandamayi: “Don’t be discouraged by your incapacity to dispel darkness from the world. Light your...”

Mata Amritanandamayi, lovingly called “Amma” or the “Hugging Saint,” is a well-known spiritual guide and philanthropist from India. She was born in a small fishing village called Kollam in the state of Kerala, India. She has gained worldwide popularity for her infinite compassion, service to humanity and spiritual knowledge. She has hugged and blessed millions of people worldwide, giving them peace of mind and solace with her simple but profound teachings. She is the epitome of love in action, dedicated to the service of humanity.Besides being a spiritual leader, Mata Amritanandamayi is also a prominent philanthropist and social worker, carrying out her charitable activities through a variety of initiatives. She believes that spirituality must express itself in the form of compassion and selfless service. She achieves this by constructing homes for the homeless, providing free medical aid, and so on, with the firm belief that small actions can bring about great changes in the world.The quote, “Don’t be discouraged by your incapacity to dispel darkness from the world. Light your little candle and step forward,” is widely attributed to Mata Amritanandamayi and reflects the essence of her teachings. The quote, in essence, speaks to us about hope. As humans, we are reminded that we should not let our problems overwhelm us. Rather than waiting for the grand solution or getting discouraged because of the things we cannot do, we are reminded to see the good we can do. The act of lighting our “little candle” speaks to us about the good deeds we can do, such as helping someone in need or doing good deeds, even though they are small acts of goodness. These small acts of goodness are what lead us to this bigger transformation, just as the small light of the candle lights up the darkness.In addition, the quote emphasizes the need for courage and moving forward. The use of the phrase “step forward” implies that it is essential to take action, no matter how little it is. It is a call to action, without a doubt and without hesitation. Most often, one does not have faith that he or she can make a difference since the contributions one can make may be little. Amma, however, challenges one to have faith that change can start with one's initiative. As many individuals light their candles, the impact will be huge.Another significant attribute of this quote is its reference to inner strength. The darkness is not only outside, but it is also within us, represented by fear, negativism, and self-doubts. Lighting our own candles also symbolizes nurturing our inner light, i.e., compassion, courage, and wisdom. The change within us will, in turn, reflect outside, affecting others and producing a ripple effect.The wisdom provided in Mata Amritanandamayi’s quote is a reminder, that we do not need to change the world in order to bring about a change. What we need is the willingness to take action in sincere and kind ways even if it is in small ways. We need to light our own candles and take our steps forward in faith, knowing we are contributing to a brighter world.