It's Hard To See In The Dark
This is the season to shine. Not just our Christmas and Hanukkah lights, but the glow that we radiate when we are connected to our own personal flow and vitality. - Faith Laux
I wonder, do you know what my friend and colleague, Faith, is talking about here?
She wrote this from the middle of months of intensive chemotherapy.
She is shining in the midst of the mess, and boy do I feel the power of her light when I read her words.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I forget that my shining helps others to shine too.
So does yours.
In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s the season of lights (Solstice, Kwanzaa, Hannukah, Christmas – or perhaps just candles in the window because it gets dark at 4:30 pm). We celebrate with lights BECAUSE we are surrounded by darkness.
And dark isn’t bad.
It can be comforting. It can be the space in which new growth begins – like under the earth, or inside a mother’s womb. It can be the color of your loved one’s skin wrapping you with deep acceptance and belonging.
But it is hard to see in the dark.
So when you want to take the next step on the path to your heart’s desires, it helps to have someone (or something) nearby SHINING.
So that’s what I want to invite you to do tonight.
Give yourself a little more space to shine. Let just a little more of your light out into the world.
If not for yourself, for the person next to you who needs your light.
As I often tell clients, I don’t know exactly what the next step looks like for you, but you do…deep down.
I also know that sometimes it can be hard to connect to that inner knowing without someone there to hold space for you as you explore.
Here are a few practices you might try to increase your light just a little bit:
DANCE. Don’t overthink it, just hit play on your favorite music app, or throw an old-school album on your turntable and let your body do what it wants to do.
CREATE ART. One of my clients told me recently that she had a moment when she got inspired to create art, but had no supplies so she made something on her bedsheet with lipstick and whatever else she could find. Another one just bought a paint-with-water kit. Still another is painting with numbers. And none of them are “artists.”
LIGHT A CANDLE and put it in a window, then look out on the street and imagine that with that little light you can send some love to someone who walks by. Feel your love for the person who is ready to receive it.
DO THE SCARY THING – OR THE THING YOU’VE BEEN AVOIDING. Sometimes taking a little action is all you need to open up some space that will let the light of your heart shine through. (If you're a white person who's been avoiding thinking about what it means to have white privilege because you think it means you have to feel bad for being white this post is a great place to start).
BE GENEROUS. Make a donation. Send a surprise gift. Give a HUGE tip – maybe even to a server who wasn’t that great. Just for the fun of it.
And then, when you feel that hint of connection with your inner light, that little bit of warmth from the flame…I invite you to let yourself WANT WHAT YOU WANT.
That desire you feel is your RADIANCE inviting you to come out and play.
Will you say yes?
You don’t have to wait for January 1 to start a new chapter. Start it now.
Here's to thriving and equity, with so much love and best wishes for a Happy New Year,
Deb
When you’re ready...
Here are some ways to get support for your journey.
Helping you level up and SHINE BRIGHT is my specialty. Sign up for a Clarity Call here. We’ll get you clear about what you really want, what’s in the way and a step you can take to get going.
Pick up your copy of Feel Better, Do Better: A Guide For People Who Want to Change the World But Sometimes Have Trouble Making It To Lunch.
Or just hit reply to this email and let me know what's up. I'll respond personally.