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As a life long extrovert I’ve had to unlearn how not to be a spotlight, just flashing around about “me.” Learning how to be share light on topics, or how best to use my talents in a giving way. It’s taken time, and I’ve learned when to shine my light. On another topic —please hold Minnesota in your thoughts and prayers. Saturday morning brought violence into two families homes, two loosing their lives, others with long recovery ahead of them. Shock and fear rippling everywhere especially towards those in public service. I hold all impacted by this depraved behavior into the Light of God’s Love for healing.
Carla, the news out of Minnesota has ruled my day. My heart is so heavy.
I am so sadden to hear that. Sending prayers and much needed peace
Sometimes it is every day stressors that impede me.
This morning 4 birds were sitting on the railing of my desk a little while after I woke up. It was so cool. I had to look up the bird. It had a brown head and black body. They were Brown headed cow birds, there were 3 males and one female I think. Then I saw a Robin with nest material in her beak. So she is making a nest under the deck.
Tomorrow I will try to shine my light by spending time with my Dad and his wife. He is on a very restrictive diet and hardly leaves his condo. His wife sent me an email and said she picked up a bunch of special treats to munch on. I bought him a puzzle and some beautiful hydrangea stems for their table. He is going on 90 and never wants anything but I wanted to bring a little cheer.
Happy Father’s day to all the Dad’s in our community!! 🌞💕
I don’t generally
feel like my light has to shine . . .
ever since I was a little child
I’ve always been a ruffle fluffer;
that is,
the person backstage
who fluffs all the ruffles on the little girls’ dresses
before they go out and be the Sugar Plum Fairy,
Giselle, or Sleeping Beauty for an hour,
never desiring the stage or the spotlight for myself.
When I talk with people,
I am more interested in their lives
and what they have to say
than to tell my own story,
that is,
except when I have a truly interesting story to tell,
like hatching my seagull out of an egg,
raising Chirpy,
or finding something truly wondrous in the woods.
So I rarely feel like I am hiding my light at all . . .
if there is a light to shine,
let someone else find it anonymously,
and not know it is from me.
Compliments beget expectations
which beget pressure and anxiety to raise the bar for myself . . .
I would rather do my best
and let it stand without judgment.
I like being an ordinary person
living an extraordinary life
and when I have something that I feel is of worth
I will offer it.
I have more sorrow in me than when I was young,
but it has nothing to do with my light today . . .
I realize now
that my light is no brighter,
and no dimmer
than anyone else’s,
and I prefer to let others shine
and come into their own.
Perhaps it is a form of ‘mudita’,
introduced by Elizabeth a few days ago.
I think . . .
finding joy in other people’s joy.
makes my heart sing.
It doesn’t make me any less than I am
and lifts the other person up . . .
we all need to be lifted up sometimes
with love . . . ♥
Sparrow, your light shines by being here. Thank you for being here 😊
What impedes me from shining my light?
First off, what is my light that I want to shine? My creativity, my kindness? Both?
Lack of focus and maybe lack of confidence probably impedes me.
Lack of focus is probably the bigger impediment.
How to work through that?
Maybe journal everyday about what I’d like to focus on.
I could give myself ten minutes to do this every day
and do this along with the Daily Question.
I think this would not be the same as my intention for each day.
The focus would be more oriented toward something that I am trying to achieve.
The intention would be more about the way I want to experience life.
I think I will try to do ten minutes daily to journal on something I want to focus on in my life
with the intention of that being an ongoing project of something I would like to achieve.
I will try this and see how it goes.
Those life–limiting messages from childhood that often rear their heads. I’m not sure we can ever really lose them but practicing mindfulness helps me hush them!
I mostly, let my light shine through. If by “ light” you mean, my personality or my essence, or who I am. Yeah, I think I get that out there.
I used to hold back. I would project a better version of myself. I would coverup parts that I felt shame about. Now, in my 61st year, I am here as myself and I’ll tell you about my story. I’ll shine my light. It helps that I let kindness be my north star.
”It helps that I let kindness be my north star.”
It sure does,
dear Charlie . . .
that’s the whole point. 🙂
Today it is the deep grief of losing my beloved husband. I started on the site 3 years ago to serve as an anchor and model of how I wanted to show up for him each day. It wasnt always pretty, but I did my best. Thank you all for your wise kind insightful words – i read every comment every day and it provided so much support.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/westlake-village-ca/trent-jones-12412769
Dearest Claire Jay, I am so terribly sorry for your loss. What a wonderful tribute in his honor of your husband. Thank you for sharing. May you find much strength in the days ahead w/your children and your cherished memories bring you peace. God Bless 🙏
Claire Jay, my deepest condolences to you and those touched by Trent’s life. This online group walks with you as grief and loss unfold. His Love for you is forever. 🦋
I grieve for you loss,
dearest Claire Jay . . .
your husband
sounds like a truly kind and curious person,
and I know you will miss him deeply.
I hold you tenderly in my heart
with love . . .
sparrow ♥
May you find peace, dear Claire, and may you be held in Love. Blessings to you and your family.
Sending you love and peace, Claire.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Thank you for sharing Trent’s story.
It looks like he let his light shine through by living an amazing life, and it continues in everyone that his light touched.
🙏
Claire Jay, Your light is shining brightly. I can feel the loving energy in your words. Blessings always and all ways to you and your family. I read the obit. Your husband touched so many lives and planted so many life-giving seeds. His wisdom lives on.
Mental blocks, I think. A tendency to distract myself, to not feel my emotions. The sadness. The anxiety.
Movement helps, mindfulness, gratitude. A kind, encouraging look. Courage!
Self-doubt impedes me from shining my light. I didn’t believe in my ability to light goodness to others. I thought it should be something that is really big for a meaningful deed. But it isn’t. Don’t look at others and focus on what I can’t do, just continue what I’m doing for my loved ones and others, is the way I make it work to light my shining. May you all enjoy a wonderful weekend.
My Ngoc, I love how collective cultures like ours bring a sense of connection. Again, right idea, wrong technique. It enhances self-doubt, and doubt kills dreams and stunts growth. From the grand scheme of things, I choose our culture. At least people know what they’re signing up for even if we come off aggressive, and I’m talking as a collective unit. We love gentleness, but that gone wrong or into overdrive mode will: turn suspicious, build barriors, form facades, and most important of all, breaches integrity. A facade is like Big Island; beautiful exterior with a volcano erruption on the interior. Deception and cheating go together. Cheaters never win, and winners never cheat.
Nothing… except for me when I allow old thought patterns to take the forefront of my mind. When I feel fear, feelings of unworthiness and the like arise, I recognize them, briefly allow them, and then take action to work them out. Maybe I meditate, maybe I make a phone call, maybe I go outside and sit in nature or take a walk.
I believe my light shines! Last night we had thunderstorms (which was aweseome while watching Friday the 13th) … this morning when I looked out my window, a tree was sparkling – boy it was a sight, felt very magical.
Wishing everyone a beautiful relaxing weekend 🙂
I’m still thinking about learning the new word ‘mudita’ and it makes me smile.
So funny! My daughter loves all those scary movies and I can’t stand them lol
Michele, I had to look up the word mudita. This definition is what I found on the Internet: “Mudita, a Sanskrit and Pali word, translates to “sympathetic joy” or “appreciative joy”. It embodies the experience of finding joy in the good fortune and happiness of others, rather than feeling jealousy or envy. It’s a positive mental state cultivated in Buddhist practice and is one of the four immeasurables.”
Thanks for introducing me to “mudita!”
I will try to remember that my light is an offering to be accepted or rejected as people wish. All I can do is offer.
Fear impedes me from shining my light…..acceptance will help me work through it.
Three years ago, or so, I would have said cynicism. With a dash of sarcasm. Add alcohol and my light did not shine too bright. By practicing meditation, Life Ring empowering your sober self meetings, therapy, listening and reading to the likes of Tara Brach and Eckhart Tolle, along with these pages and the kind, wise folks who reflect here, my light has been rekindled. The light now shines a bit brighter. Peace, love and enough to all on the gift of this new day.
So proud of you Joseph!! Keep on shining 🌞
Eckhart Tolle
unlocked the door for me,
dear Joseph . . .
after that,
all of the other wise people of the world
made sense to me.
They were all basically saying the same thing,
but Mr. Tolle spoke directly to me
and I got it.
I sense that you too,
have that kind of appreciation of his work. ♥
Joseph, your light is definitely shining.
Thank you for shining it our way. 🙏
Ditto!
My mind world wichis overlapping Truth impedes light and energy which is Truth. I am false and until I no longer exist then light will not shine .
Thank you for this wonderful reminder. I’m grateful to have the means to let go 100% and be able to do this . Thank you .