For those of you who know me, you know I tend to write and speak about radiance; how it is God’s light that shines through us, if we allow him to do so. As I have reflected on and thought about radiance, I have asked different people what radiance means to them. One woman described radiance by using a term that I absolutely loved. She said that being radiant is about being “other-oriented”. Those two words, put together like that, pack a punch.
It seems like we are living in a time where being “other-oriented” is so critical. Wearing a mask, keeping six feel apart due to COVID is certainly guidance to be “other-oriented”. At the same time, the protests start as a consideration of others; their needs and rights. What I observe however is that many things start by being “other-oriented” and then evolve into being about self.
Consider the protests. Protests are for human rights, for fair treatments, and these are other-oriented. But along with the protests we have also seen riots. Looting, damaging stores and business are activities that seem to focus on self, I fear, not others. Keeping that "other-oriented" perspective is crucial. What causes humanity to move from focus on other to focus on self? Perhaps the answer comes from Blessed James Alberione who offered "Humility is the keeper of the virtues." Without humility, other non-virtuous activities can happen, and quickly.

Lack of humility does seem to be at the root of some of the challenges we see right now. In a world that encourages you to buy, buy, buy and that you “deserve” this or that, it is no wonder that people learn to think of themselves first and others second. To truly be other-oriented, one needs to be humble and honestly put the needs of others before their own. Christ was such a perfect example of this for us. His guidance to us was to “love our neighbors as ourselves”. He knew this would be difficult for us.
Humility is difficult and perhaps even more difficult when the world is in disarray, as it is today. But, isn’t it in these strange and scary times that being humble and in service to others is so critical? Yet, these are the very times that we want to hunker down and protect ourselves. But, those who are in service to others, who are “other-oriented” are truly radiant stars, as Mother Thecla described.
"God is a very good cameraman and will project the film of our lives. Let us be radiant stars."
Mother Thecla Merlo, Daughters of St. Paul
During this trying time in our world, I am seeing beautiful, radiant souls who are letting God’s light shine through them. I identify them because they are so “other-oriented”. These are the people who are making masks and giving them away to senior centers, or the people putting thank you signs and gifts out for the delivery people, or those bringing food and meals to others. I was in line at the grocery and the person in front of me inquired of the cashier, “how are you really, given everything going on here?” The cashier lit up, someone truly cared about her and was being “other-oriented” by asking that question.
The thing about that little question is that it led to a big smile on the face of the cashier. Someone cared, and that mattered. Someone was being “other-oriented” in the moment. Yes, we can require masks and social distancing. However, I believe that being other-oriented cannot be required or stipulated; it is an inside job. When we let go of our self-interest and truly see others, that is when God’s light shines through us and we can be radiant.
During these tough weeks with all that is swirling around us, what gives me hope is the radiance I see around me. I look for those people who are “other-oriented” and I see God at work. I cherish the many beautiful pieces of humanity I see, and pray that God will continue to open the hearts of many to take care of others during this time.

The once international corporate marketing executive is now an author,
speaker and promised Pauline Cooperator who encourages people to live
radiantly, letting God shine through them. Donna A. Heckler was blessed
with a prominent career serving multi-billion dollar organizations and
now focuses her writing at the intersection of faith and business.
Donna’s award winning book "Marketing God: Inspired Strategies for
Building the Kingdom" was just released in August 2019 by OSV and is a
crash course for those passionate about their faith and looking for ways
to share it effectively.
Recognized as a thought leader in
brand and marketing strategy, she is co-author of the book The Truth
About Creating Brands People Love. Donna penned the acclaimed book
Living Like A Lady When You Have Cancer after her stage 3 cancer
diagnosis. She worked through her treatments but worked even more at
trying to live radiantly every day.
God now takes a front seat
in Donna’s life as she shares her journey, her beliefs, her faith in her
writing and speaking. Donna reminds us to sit quietly with God and to
live radiantly despite what is happening in our lives, with God shining
through every day.