When guiding lights go out

With the death of British playwright Harold Pinter on Christmas Eve, the world lost another of its visionaries. Pinter won the Nobel Prize for literature and had an influence on young playwrights that never can be understated.

In fact, 2008 saw the passing of many souls who strove to keep the world from slouching into darkness.

For society to progress, it takes more than inspired political leaders. The guiding lights must come from across the board; from the arts, sciences, religions and trades. Reading a compass is easy. But being a compass is something else again. And a heart that can always find "true north" is a gift that should not only be celebrated but mourned when it is lost.

And this year the world lost several inspired guides.

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, the Russian author who stood like a lighthouse against the tide of Soviet Communism, was a man with a fierce sense of morality. Like St. Jerome, he pulled no punches and he had a gift of language unparalleled in his time. He will be missed.

The Maharishi Yogi, best known as the guru to the Beatles, offered alternatives with his Transcendental Meditation courses and helped young and old find their true core by taking alternative routes.

Paul Weyrich, founder of the Heritage Foundation, beamed his light from the political right and was able to influence the direction of the nation because of his light's wattage, power and scope.

Ditto for William F. Buckley Jr.

Tim Russert brought humanity and a "long view" to his "Meet the Press" interviews.

Tony Snow brought humanity and strength of character to his position as the administration's press secretary.

Randy Pausch gave a speech that touched the soul.

Bo Diddley did the same with his music.

And finally, there was the passing of President Gordon B. Hinckley, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Savvy publications, Newsweek for example, gave President Hinckley the same amount of space and ink as it gave other notables like director Syndney Pollack and author Michael Crichton.

And with reason.

The magazine wrote that wherever President Hinckley went, "crowds waved white handkerchiefs. And he went a lot of places." Then after ticking off the highlights of his worldwide ministry and life, the piece concludes, "And to think: he hated to travel."

Sometimes, it seems, you go where you're wanted to go.