Holding The Light

"Teach by Example" is a spot where a simple statement can be profound. Our hero thought that "all he did was hold the light," but now, looking back as an adult, he saw the wisdom his father was sharing with him, and how important it was to serve.

Production of "Teach by Example" was strenuous, as it involved filming in many different locations such as basements and garages. In one short scene where the boy and his father run out of the garage, FBL employed a rain truck sending water over the boy and his father, and another small rain simulator in front of the camera's lens to give the impression that rain was falling from the viewer's standpoint right up to the action.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

MUSIC: There are heroes…
ANNCR/SUPER: My dad fixed things for everyone.
MUSIC: …whose names we never hear, reaching out to help their fellow man.
ANNCR/SUPER: …and me?
MUSIC: There are dreamers…
ANNCR/SUPER: Well, I just held the light.
MUSIC: …who are making dreams come true, taking time to teach the children that there’s nothing they can’t do. All it takes is a point of light…
ANNCR/SUPER: Over the years we fixed things for friends we knew, and some we didn’t. He was teaching me more than just how to fix things.
MUSIC: …a ray of hope in the darkest night. If you see what’s wrong and you try to make it right…
ANNCR/SUPER: Teaching by example…
MUSIC: You will be a point of light.
ANNCR/SUPER: Pass it on. A message from The Foundation for a Better Life.

Teaching By Example
Pass It On®
Pass It On®

YOUR COMMENT

Note: All comments are reviewed before posting.

Beautiful

Pamela from Saint Charles, IL, February 1, 2020

like my dad

gabriela waldowska from polska, January 15, 2017

love :P

gabriela waldowska from polska, January 15, 2017

Great. Super good. I love this video

Anonymous, November 2, 2015

This video is really great, and it is also the epitome of Teaching By Example, too. I like it. :)

NULL from NULL, July 14, 2015

like foreal some of these videos made me beak down and cry

aajani brown from killeen tx, December 31, 2013

I love these spots--just watching and listening made me a better person.

Patricia Cole from Covina, California, December 12, 2013

My son held the light and watched me for years. Now he is a Jet Engine Mechanic on Air Force One!

Rob Austin from Lawrenceville, GA, December 6, 2013

Pass it on! Great! We do teach by example!

Debra Brown from Red Oak, OK, September 16, 2013

When parent's take time with their children, the children seem to turn out better

liz from ok, September 16, 2013

This is a nice video, I remember sharing times with my dad when I was kid learning to do stuff he done. That is why I know how to do electrical work, and plumbing today, and he also past it a long to my child!

Angela Owens from Huntington, September 15, 2013

Good advice for anyone.

Jerry Colbert from Howe, OK, September 14, 2013

I always did that for my dad. :) Great commercial, as always!

AVT from CH, March 8, 2013

RANDY TRAVIS! I've seen him twice with someone I pray for every day now. He sure sings some awesome songs that do make me cry. All the commercials are great.

Glen from Milwaukee,WI, November 17, 2011

It made me remember my Father and my brother doing the same thing when we were young a few years back.

May G from Philippines, September 7, 2011

I have a friend just like this. He fixes everything for everyone in the neighborhood. I get to "hold the light" for him occasionally but it is usually his son. Great man, really makes a difference.

Chad from Lehi, UT, June 16, 2011

Great work. You're making a difference.

wisdom A from Charlotte NC, January 15, 2011

Just like my dad. I love you...

Elys Ch from New Jersey, January 3, 2011

I miss my father and all the times I held the light he was a light that shines everyday I live.

Vickie M from Dallas TX, December 27, 2010

It's called Point of Light sung by Randy Travis.

Amanda T from Denton, MD, December 1, 2010

I can't help but smile every time I see this commercial. It reminds me of my Father, and the song stays in my head most of the day. Great spot!

Erica, m from Savannah, Georgia, October 5, 2010

Great message.

Paul S from Kentucky, September 24, 2010

Reminds me of my Dad....very inspiring and think my students will appreciate it!

Nancy C from PflugervilleTX, August 26, 2010

For Peggy W. from Belleville, Il. It is Randy Travis singing and the words sound like his song, "A Point Of Light"

Frank S. from Waterloo, Il., August 11, 2010

Who sings this song? I love this song. : )

Peggy W from Belleville, IL, August 3, 2010

This makes me say that it is always the parents who can teach their kids the best lessons in life. No doubt, I am what my father taught me.

Jessie Labiste Jr. from Iloilo, Philippines, May 28, 2010

This touching and moving ad is so powerful in its own way; I personally have a friend, aged in years, who thinks of others before himself. He demonstrates to myself and others, that we don't have to take credit for our actions if given freely from the heart... The accompanying song is truly outstanding! Thank you for reaching out to others, by teaching through example!!

Deborah A. from Ontario, Canada, May 8, 2010

I am so pleased with your site and I have used it for the past five years in teaching the kids in elementary school how to live life and achieve their dreams to become the best they can be.

Gary S. from Pioneer elementary, March 19, 2010

Thanks for this wonderful bits of hope. I needed them today. I held the light for my dad too. I never realized all the good things I was learning. Kids don't get much of that these days. I work in a K-8 school and I want my kids to appreciate the messages here. Thanks for all you do!! Please make more!

Claudia E from High Point, NC, March 11, 2010

I believe the song is "Point of Light" by Randy Travis.

Rachel A. from Denver, CO, March 9, 2010

What is the name of this song? I love it!!!

Toni from Ucelo, March 8, 2010

Thank You. You are spreading hope and the belief that evil does still have a true opponent in man.

Paula F. from Knoxville, TN, January 22, 2010

That was me forty five years ago. I held the light for my dad. I handed him the tools and the parts. We didn't realize then. It wasn't about completing the project as much as it was building our relationship. My dad was and always will be my hero and my best friend no matter how long he is gone, no matter how long I live.

Scott Wexler from Brighton, MI, January 7, 2010

I Love that TV Spot

Marcel Myrick from Brooklyn, New York, December 14, 2009

I love, love this site! Everyday I watch it for guidance! Helps a lot really! Thank you very much!!

Laarni A. from Philippines, September 26, 2009

These messages remind me years ago of Hallmark messages. Very good production and very good messages. Thanks for your work.

Robert J., US Army Constractor from Umm Qsar, Camp Bucca, Iraq, September 18, 2009

While I was watching this spot I heard my 6 year old son talking with my husband (who is not the boy's father). And as soon as the spot ends I could understand that maybe he is not my son's father but he is his DADDY.

Graciel S. from San Diego, California, May 31, 2009

You all did great work with this spot and I love the message - its so true.

Bev M. from Canada, December 28, 2008

The best teaching method EVER!!!

Bruce T. from Waterloo, Canada, November 13, 2008

What is the name of the song? ["Point of Light" by Randy Travis]

Destin S. from Texas, October 1, 2008

May you be Blessed for this work...Love you all!

Jack C. from Brazil, April 29, 2008

This commercial reminds me of the saying, "give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will eat forever." I love these commercials. Keep up the good work.

Alex L. from Matthews, North Carolina, January 18, 2008

Every time I start something and my 3 1/2 year old son wants to help I think of this ad and I find patience within to let him help.

Steve O. from York, Pennsylvania USA, November 25, 2007

What a flood of memories of times gone by. I hope we can bring back the values of those days!

Curtis F. from Douglas, Arizona, November 1, 2007

This is so great!! I wish everyone in this country could watch this ad!

Brad M. from New York, New York USA, October 22, 2007

This reminds me of my parents. I also think that parenting is a VERY hard job.

Maliya H. from Salt Lake City,UT, USA, October 10, 2007

Brought tears to my eyes, lost my 14 yr old stepson last year. Truly inspiring.

Jim F. from Commerce, GA, USA, October 9, 2007

Parenting is one of the most important and hardest things in this world. Glad I found this website and TV spot.

Jung-in Kim from Seoul, Korea, March 22, 2007

Be sure to watch our other Pass It On® videos.

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LOVE

Remember When

APPRECIATION

Apple Stand

CARING

Loyalty

LOYALTY

Baseball

FRIENDSHIP

I Believe

BELIEVE

Umbrella

CARING

Truck Stop

RIGHT CHOICES

Ballet

CONFIDENCE

Three Pointer

YOU GOT THIS

Change the World

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

You Can Let Go

LOVE

Get Along

GET ALONG

Humble and Kind

KINDNESS

Never Too Late

LIVE LIFE

Reach

INTEGRITY

Hall of Fame

ACHIEVEMENT

Oliver With A Twist

PLEASE AND THANK YOU

Road Rage

GOOD EXAMPLES

Haircut

BEING THERE

Biker

GRATITUDE

Good Stuff

COMMITMENT

Everything I Do

CARING

Homecoming Queen

TRUE BEAUTY

Homer

LOYALTY

Life's A Dance

LEARN AS YOU GO

Guitar Hero

LIVE YOUR DREAMS

Crosswalk

GOOD MANNERS

Faith In You

DEVOTION

Spirit of America

DETERMINATION

Nate Staniforth, Magician

WONDER

Be A Light

BE A LIGHT

Home

FAMILY

Timeout

CIVILITY

I Will Always Love You

LOVE

Generosity

GENEROSITY

Power of the Dream

LIVE YOUR DREAMS

Sarah Greichen

INCLUSION

Just Say Hi

REACHING OUT

Let Em In

CARING

You Raise Me Up

INSPIRATION

Hope

HOPE

My Wish

PARENTING

Top Shelf

HELPING OTHERS

Soccer

OPPORTUNITY

Love

LOVE

Gratitude

GRATITUDE

Grace VanderWaal

CONFIDENCE

The Greatest

OPTIMISM

Kindness

KINDNESS

Wet Cement

PATIENCE

Dear Me

HOPE

Everyday Heroes

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

America

CARING

Track Coach

BELIEVE

Imagine

IMAGINE

Jen Bricker

STRENGTH

Piñata

SHARING

Old Friends

FRIENDSHIP

Spread the Love

LOVE

My Life in Sports

APPRECIATION

Most People Are Good

GOODNESS

Basketball

SPORTSMANSHIP

Cafeteria

REACHING OUT

Mallory Weggemann

RESILIENCE

Classroom

HONESTY

College

GRATITUDE

Purse

HONESTY

Open Door

KINDNESS

Annie's Song

OUR BEAUTIFUL WORLD

Dishes

LISTENING

Locker

CHARACTER

Neighbors

PATIENCE

The Wall

HARD WORK

Already There

BEING THERE

Hockey

LOVE

Peer Pressure

CHARACTER

Special Athlete

SPORTSMANSHIP

We Shall Be Free

DO YOUR PART

Joshua's Heart

LOVE

Packages

COURTESY

I Hope You Dance

LIVE LIFE

Hallway

FORGIVENESS

Better Together

BETTER TOGETHER

A Better Life

A BETTER LIFE

Veteran

THANK YOU