"Il y a deux façons de répandre la lumière être la bougie ou le miroir qui la reflète"

The quote is all about the idea of sharing positivity and wisdom. It suggests that you can either be the source of goodness and inspiration, like a candle, or you can reflect and spread the goodness and inspiration from others, like a mirror. Both roles are valuable and essential in making the world a brighter place.

Think about it like this: sometimes you’re the one doing something great, giving advice, or helping someone out. Other times, you’re the one who sees someone else doing something great and you share that with others. Either way, you’re contributing to making things better.

Historically, this quote from Edith Wharton, an acclaimed American novelist from the early 20th century, captures her belief in the importance of kindness and influence. Wharton lived through times when society was undergoing significant changes, so the idea of spreading light—whether directly or by reflection—was particularly relevant in navigating through such transformations.

Let's look at a real-life example. Picture a teacher in a classroom. The teacher can be the candle, directly imparting knowledge and encouragement to students. She's the one creating the light. Now, imagine a student who is inspired by the teacher's words and actions. That student goes home and shares what they’ve learned with their siblings or friends, spreading the light further like a mirror. This way, the influence of the teacher extends beyond the classroom.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your life? Start by recognizing that every little bit of positivity you put out there makes a difference. If you’ve got a talent, use it to help others. If you see someone else doing something great, don’t hesitate to spread the word about it. Both actions help make the world a better place.

Now, let me tell you a story. Imagine you're at a local community event and you hear a speaker who’s incredibly inspiring. They talk about their journey, the struggles they faced, and how they overcame them. You feel a spark inside you. You decide to share the speaker's story on your social media, and it resonates with a lot of your friends. They, in turn, share it with their friends. You’ve become the mirror, reflecting and spreading the light that the speaker ignited.

Or think about that time when you helped a friend through a tough situation. You listened, gave advice, and were just there for them. You were the candle, providing light in their moment of darkness. And maybe, just maybe, they took what you gave them and passed it along to someone else who needed it.

So, next time you're wondering how you can make a difference, remember you have two powerful ways to spread light. You can be the candle, shining brightly and leading the way. Or you can be the mirror, reflecting the light of others to keep the positivity going. Both are beautiful roles—choose whichever fits you in the moment and go for it.