Light a candle
to defy the darkness

Though things are bleak all over the world, there remains hope in the goodness of people

By Georges Dupras

December 11, 2025

Dear Readers,

For many, this has been a challenging year, and for some, a bad year. As we approach this holiday season, I remind myself that though things are bleak all over the world, there remains hope in the goodness of people.

Some months ago, while trimming out my CD collection, I came across an old Holiday recording by Peter, Paul and Mary. One song resonated with me. That song was Light One Candle for the Maccabee Children. I searched YouTube and found the actual recording of their Holiday Special. While the famous trio sang that selection, a student walked between a chorus of young boys and girls and lit the candle that each was holding. By the end of that song, all candles were lit, and smiles covered the room.

Our new global reality is anything but encouraging, but these children, motivated by peaceful persuasion, defy this darkness.

Having invested almost two generations in trying to protect animals, including humans, and the environments that sustain them, I have had my periods of deep despair. I feel lost in a sea of darkness, but I remember the words of the Dalai Lama: “It is better to light one candle than to fall in the dark.”

White-collar, blue-collar, no-collar workers, volunteers, and even those unable to serve can influence others through kindness. We often forget that “what” we are, and what we do, is infinitely more important than “who” we are.

As for me, Christmas Eve has always been my favourite night of the year. It is for me a night of peace on earth and goodwill for all. It is my credo that kindness, compassion and love are not only for humans but for all, fin, fur, feather and scale, who share our world.

With that, I thank WestmountMag for publishing my rants over these past months, and to the readers for your support.

I wish you all Happy and Safe Holidays.

Georges

Feature image: icono.com

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Georges Dupras

Georges R. Dupras has advocated for animals for over fifty years. A member of the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA), a Director of the Animal Alliance of Canada (AAC), Quebec Representative of Zoocheck Canada and past Board member of the Canadian SPCA, he worked on the original Save the Seal campaign in 1966 that culminated in the founding of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in 1969. Georges Dupras has published two books, Values in Conflict and the eBook Ethics, a Human Condition, and currently lives in Montreal, Canada.