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Radio Ruhaniyat: April 7, 2018

The Baby with a Bic Lighter! Destined to Serve!



Hello everyone and thanks for joining us for some more inspiration on Radio Ruhaniyat!

Pain and suffering is always hard to bear but it does evolve us into spiritually enhanced and internally mature individuals. We become what we have experienced in life and the more we have to go through, stronger we become. We are all destined to serve a purpose in life and regardless of whether we realize it or not, our hardships usually prove to be blessings in disguise. We go through phases in which we remind ourselves that this too shall pass. Eventually we look back and tell ourselves that it wasn’t as difficult as we had originally thought.

I’d like to share a heart-touching story by Allison Massari.
This true story that is not only miraculous but also inspiring! Do you believe that goodness and abundance can blossom in the midst of challenging circumstance? As a child, Allison learned that there was wonder and brilliance, but she also learned the reality of intense sadness and pain in the world. More than anything, her parents wanted her to believe that good could prevail; they wanted her to believe that no matter what, even in the darkest of places, beauty and love could bloom.

When she was seventeen, she was handed a newspaper clipping. It was one of the most painful things she had ever read, about a little 2-year-old baby by himself in the closet of his home, playing with a Bic lighter (at the time, there were no child-proof safety latches). Within seconds the entire closet and all the clothes were consumed in fire around him; he was downright helpless. His body was burned completely, the doctors didn't know if this small child would live. Allison was so affected by this story, she remembers the feeling vividly. She was touched and felt deeply connected with this little boy. She didn't know what it was, but something about the story would not let go of her. It was one of those situations where you pause and think, “There is no good that can come from this. There is no reason. There is no way.” She felt hopeless. She carried that story with her, her whole life and never forgot that little baby.

She could not have known that, years later, at age 32, she herself would be burned. She too was consumed by fire all around her in an enclosed space. She was watching herself in a horrific scene – burning alive. She was trapped and unable to breathe when a total stranger ran towards the colossal blaze, kicked in the window and saved her life. The pain she went through was beyond her ability to explain. She could’ve died, but she came through and healed.
After her accident, she understood at the deepest levels the needs of other burn survivors. She was compelled to create a program for teens with burn injuries, and with the help of volunteers, her dream became reality. The program has been running for over a decade now, through the Adaptive Sports Center in Crested Butte, Colorado. The minute these kids get off the plane, there's a jam-packed schedule. They go to snowboarding and skiing lessons. They go dogsledding, ice climbing, rock climbing and snowshoeing at night… The week is full of adventure. It's an incredible thing, a privilege, to spend time with these remarkable young people; year after year, they've healed together. Allison has witnessed again and again how the right attitude changes everything.

One participant was an extraordinary young man named CJ. His face and body were burned in totality, and his fingers were gone except for nubs an inch above the palm, but he did have one knuckle- and a very charismatic smile. Year after year, he was the guy who would show up and throw a party for everyone. He'd play the music. He'd get the snacks. He'd spread the word. He was that person who walked into the room with such a quiet assuredness that you quickly forgot he was burned; his love just burst out of his body. He is in his twenties now and is an amazing person. One day Allison was on the phone with CJ. They were talking about life, brainstorming ideas and catching up. “CJ,” said Allison, “All these years I've known you, we've always had fun when we talk… But I never asked you what your story was. How were you burned?” He paused, “Did you ever hear the story of the baby with the Bic lighter? That was me!”
Allison was silenced. It took her two weeks to call him back. She was so stunned. She finally contacted him and told him how she knew of his story when he was just two. They were both speechless. There was love there. It was real. Her whole life, she needed to know if that little baby was okay. Not only is he okay, he's an incredible person. He was her friend.
Even in the most painful of places, in the most tragic and horrific of stories, love and beauty can unfold in ways we never imagined. Life carries poetry. This is a reminder to watch for the goodness – to pay attention. Don't let the poetry of life pass you by. Turn the pages of life with expectation for magic, because the miraculous is budding everywhere.

Allison Massari survived burning alive, a brain injury and so much more and has come out the other side to an incredible life. She is dedicating her life to helping others now.
Life is beautiful no matter what our circumstances. True bliss and happiness doesn’t come from material comforts. It comes from within, with blessings from the divine. Everything around us is temporary and eventually changes and perishes. What is everlasting and never changing is the Almighty God. Surrender to Him and you will find our true purpose in life.

And remember: You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have!

-Until next time, this is Preet Sahi reminding you to Stay Spiritual!

Radio Ruhaniyat is inspired by thoughts and views from members of the Sant Nirankari Mission, along with Inspirational & Motivational speeches, posts, articles & stories. The Foundation of this program and the message being conveyed is inspired from www.nirankari.org