We are in the season when we become more aware of light because of the absence of it as the days grow shorter and nights longer. When the light from the stars is beautiful but seems distant and unattainable.
We are in a season in our country when we throw darkness at each other like manure from a barn (or stable?), and as we throw, can no longer remember the humanity of the person we are aiming for.
We are in a season of sports when darkness is still glorified in the trash talking (not the playful trash talking, the cruel type) and accepted as “just the way things are.”
We are in a season in our country when bullies and incredibly rich individuals rob light from those who have little in their lives already, to pad their own power and bank accounts.
In short, we are in a season that the world has been in for thousands of years.
So what about this light thing? What is it anyway?
According to the Oxford dictionary, light is "the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible.”
And then it occurred to me, the answer of what is visible and stimulates sight is actually not a physical thing that can only be “seen” by sighted people, it is hidden in the foundation of tennis.
Love love. If we love love, we will bring light. It is simple as that.
If we cheat our opponent, we will bring darkness, it is as simple as that.
If we love competition that brings out the best in each other and respects the other while we compete, we will bring light.
If we question others’ line calls and suspect every motive of our opponent, we will bring darkness.
If we seek to learn about others with curious minds and hearts, we will bring light.
If we seek to shut down, and shoot down, someone’s life and experiences before even giving them a listen, we will bring darkness.
If we believe that no one makes it alone, and that our abundance is meant to be shared, not hoarded, we will bring light.
If we believe we deserve what we have because we “did it by ourselves” and justify our abundance and another’s lack of it by blaming those who do not have the same advantages as we do for not bucking up, we will bring darkness.
If we see people as a means to an end to attain happiness, we will bring darkness.
If we see people for who they are – companion light bringers who, like us, suffer and laugh and cry and hope and despair and love – we will see a whole world of light.
The encouraging thing in both tennis and life, is, no matter what has happened to us in the past, no matter what deeds or words we may regret, if you are reading this you are still alive, and it is not too late to bring light. Little by little. Day by day. Just like the light will be returning incrementally starting tomorrow and, a minute here, a minute there, by summer light will be everywhere.
That is how light works. That is how love works. Be it.