The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life

Let us begin our journey with a gentle breath, a pause, and the soft glow of a lantern in the darkness. Imagine a world where, as the sun sets and shadows stretch across the land, a single lantern lifts its wick and declares, 'I challenge the darkness.' This is not the story of a hero who vanquishes all evil, but of a humble light content to brighten its own corner—and in doing so, inspires a constellation of other lanterns to rise, each flickering with hope. Even the smallest act of kindness can ripple outward, illuminating lives we may never know.

This is the wisdom at the heart of our first lesson: perspective shapes experience. We each carry our own lens, colored by childhood, family, loss, and love. The author, a Sikh man raised in Texas, learned early that the world might see him as foreign, dangerous, or other. Yet, he also discovered that he could choose how to respond. When faced with a stranger’s suspicion or a classmate’s joke, he learned to pause, breathe, and see not just the pain but the person. We all see the world from our own eyes, but we can learn to see through others’ as well.

Consider the small, everyday acts that often go unnoticed: a man in a suit retrieving a lost baby shoe, a vendor offering a free bag to a struggling teen, a construction worker forgiving a missing dollar at the breakfast cart. These are not random, the author insists, but evidence of a deep, ever-present goodness. If we look for the light, we will find it—sometimes in the most unexpected places. Noticing kindness restores our faith, both in ourselves and in the world around us.

Yet, the world is not without its shadows. There are moments when hate is loud and kindness seems silent. The author shares the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra, who uncovered atrocities against his own community and, despite threats, continued to shine his light until the very end. His courage was not in conquering all darkness, but in refusing to let it settle in his own corner. Happiness, as the lantern teaches, is found not in grand victories, but in meeting the needs of those within our reach.

As we move forward, remember that the way we see others—whether with suspicion or with curiosity, with fear or with compassion—shapes not just our relationships, but our own sense of self. We are invited to journey together, to find meaning in our shared struggles, and to model the light we wish to see. Let us travel with support and company, for life is richer when we move with purpose and connection.

Now, let us gently step into the next section, where we will explore the complexities of identity, belonging, and the courage it takes to be seen as we truly are.