By Laura Ecklin

My earliest memories of Pentecost include dozens of red balloons on a Sunday morning during worship. If you have been around Westminster for a long time, maybe you remember, too. This year, I am approaching this celebration of the Holy Spirit with eyes wide open.

The phrase “come alive” immediately makes me think of the song by the same name from The Greatest Showman, a movie following P.T. Barnam as he starts his circus. The song speaks of gray skies and dark days, but then encourages the listener that you are in control of the light in your life.

I am not usually a New Year’s Resolution kind of person, but this year I have made a promise to myself that I will make a strong effort to be more responsible for my demeanor. I have no control over a lot of things in life, but I do get to choose how I react to what happens around me. As the song says, I can flip the switch and brighten up my darkest day. I have two tiny people watching my every move; their childhood is in my hands. I get to teach them whatever I want, but if my words are going to matter at all, my actions have to match.

By the end of the song, P.T. Barnum is joined in song by all of the circus performers with the energizing message to dream with your eyes wide open. They are met with a standing ovation from the audience and well on their way to achieving their dream of success.

The Holy Spirit is alive and well within you. Imagine how much good you could do for the world if you celebrated each day with the enthusiasm of several dozen red balloons. I’ve been working on this resolution for a few months now and it is much easier than I ever dreamed it would be. The level of happiness I have from just a single shift in mindset is significant. Listen to that song and give it a try. Let me know if it works for you.