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.
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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/mailing%20list.htm
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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.