Let There Be Light
On this day in 1880, Thomas Edison (1847-1931) patented the first successful electric incandescent lamp, preceded by many others who tried. What outdistanced him from the others was that his was the first commercially practical incandescent light. “When Thomas Edison worked late into the night on the electric light, he had to do it by gas lamp or candle. I'm sure it made the work seem that much more urgent,” a prophetic perspective from George Carlin, (1937-2008) an actor, writer, and comedian, placing second to Richard Pryor on Comedy Central’s list of “Top 100 Comics of all Time.”
Some days I will select a topic and read all the quotations I can find about that topic. Today, I chose light.
“When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.” Tecumseh (1768-1813) was a Native American Shawnee warrior and chief who was a strong and eloquent speaker promoting tribal unity.
“It gets better: there's a light at the end of the tunnel. It may take one day; it may take ten years. But one day, you will find happiness if you manifest it. Put that energy out, and it'll come back.” Lil Xan (1996-) is his chosen name, but his given name is Nicholas Diego Leanos, sometimes referred to as Diego who is a rapper, singer, and lyricist.
“Humans have a light side and a dark side, and it's up to us to choose which way we're going to live our lives. Even if you start out on the dark side, it doesn't mean you have to continue your journey that way. You always have time to turn it around.” Taraji P. Henson (1970-) an American actor, writer, and producer. Henson was named as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World according to Time Magazine in 2016 and that year her autobiography, Around the Way Girl became a best-seller.
“We can never be afraid to stand up for what is right, no matter what others may say. And sometimes, if that means taking a lonely road, if what we are standing for is true, then perhaps moonlight or sunshine will light our way and make it less lonely.” Pramila Jayapal (1965-) is the first Indian American woman to serve in the House of Representatives, becoming a U.S. citizen in 2000, and wrote Pilgrimage: One Woman's Return to a Changing India the same year.
“When you look on the bright side, you're acknowledging that there is a dark side at which you are choosing not to gaze. If you think that the darkest hour is before the dawn, you accept that you are moving from darkness to light.” Srikumar Rao (1951-) created the course Creativity and Personal Mastery (CPM) designed to effect personal transformation.
“Some struggle is healthy. If you can embrace it rather than be angry, you can use it as your pilot light.” Damon Wayans (1960-) is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and a member of the Wayans family of entertainers.
Rodney Dangerfield (1921-2004) a comedian extraordinaire, may be best known for his one-liner, "I get no respect!" but this quotation is my favorite:
“My wife was afraid of the dark... then she saw me naked and now she's afraid of the light.”