To know what’s behind the shadow I must stand in the light. It may be uncomfortable It may be out of my comfort zone. It may feel out of sorts and confusing. Only the light illuminates. The truth can be too much, Like too much sunlight without a shady spot. The shadow is not always a scary corner. A dark place can be healing. A cozy cave, a reprieve from the spotlight. A space to regain and meet myself again. In the beginning, the womb was dark and was all I knew. Then there was a bright light. The world was born as I knew it. Spring is nature’s green light. A signal that we can go if we want. We can emerge from the shadow into the light. The days march on, allowing in that knowing sun. The butterfly emerges from the chrysalis Transformed in a safe cocoon And the world was reborn into flight. My feet touch the newly green grass That has grown in that warm sunshine And takes reprieve in the shadow of night Knowing that the light will greet it once more. And the greenery will grow more lush and fresh All due to the bright rays above.
Tag: light
The blank page is my refuge (part 2)
The blank canvas The blank page The clutter-free desk The cleared-off cooking space. The beginning of something not yet created. The infinite potential The spark of creativity or action. To create something And fill up that space with something new That never existed. And that’s why I return again and again to the page: To a clean space, To make/create something. It is the meaning of life. If we are all creative, It’s the perfect medium to create. I can set the tone of my day, Which sets the tone of my Creative, connected life. On full moons, I always have vivid dreams And creative insight. I capture it here. The page holds all of my fears And creative dreams. It makes my creativity a reality. It is a give and take. A creative relationship That I take action toward And life works. It works for me. I feel light And in a mastery of my life.
Step out of the darkness and into the light
Step out of the darkness and into the light. I am here with you. Fear can make you feel small. And like a seed without enough space to grow, Your potential cannot fully bloom. Step out of the darkness and into the light. Your authentic voice and story need to be told. Liberate yourself from the binds that hold you back. I am here with you. Do not look outside yourself for validation of Who you were meant to be. It is safe to shine your light. Give yourself permission to bloom. It was always yours for the taking. Step out of the darkness and into the light.
FUN
Fun is whimsical. Fun is carefree. Fun is joy and glee. I used to think fun was just a happy circumstance. I didn’t know I had to Actively seek it out. Excavating through the trudgery of adulthood, I discovered that life is not Just what I do. It’s how I want to be. Like a flame on a candle. Once the wick is lit, The fuming spark of Oxygen that created the flame. It ignites. The light of joy. The heat of glee. To feel carefree, Just being me.
A Story
A single candle illuminates the window. The darkened pane dazzles in the light. What is behind the darkness? Ever mysterious and profound. I imagine what lies out of sight. Whose lives dream and weep Behind the darkened window? The truth does not matter. I am inspired for having dreamed a little. The imagined lives outside myself have lit an internal spark. An inspiration of what it means To live. And I reflect on my own full life.
I marvel at the light
At winter solstice darkness dominates the days And light seems to fade shortly after its arrival. I marvel at the light. At the sunrise The neighbor’s chimney smoke Graceful and floating Like a dancer in the sky. The sunset that takes my breath away And I linger to look A little longer. I marvel at the light. Everything seems aglow Orange and burning Then quick pinks and purple Gone in a flash. Over and over again. I marvel at the light. I surprise myself And take it all in. Darkness may seem to Envelope and surround. And the bitter chill Nips at my nose. The light that appears is just a little bit brighter, a little bit more alive. I marvel at the light. We take in the light and create our own Be it holiday lights Or candlelight. This little light I hold in my hand It warms our hearts Through and to The brighter days ahead.
A Million Stars
Whether outside for my daily walk by the river or relaxing by the lake, I bask in the light. If I pause long enough, I see the stars floating and shimmering. A sparkle on the water‘s surface. How I marvel that our sun, too, is a star in its own right. And right here on the still water, the sun is broken into a million stars for all those who gaze upon its reflection. A star right in the middle of the day!
What story does each little flying fireball have? Where is it in its journey as it travels through the galaxy through the great expanse?
It has a life force of its own. A lifecycle of birth and death. Even though the end may be many lifetimes away, as I feel my own ending so far away. My mind can’t fathom an end to my existence.
My smile is bright like its own star. I have a light inside that longs to be bright. Yet afraid to lose too much light, as if there’s a limited supply. My life force too is a cycle and I honor it by appreciating each day as a gift. A wonderful opportunity to learn, to be, to connect, to create.
The world is my oyster who sinks and scurries around at a speed unknown and unseen to the naked eye. The scallop and barnacle have a mystery and story of their own too. The light reflects down to the shallow sea and they marvel and delight in its rays as do I with my bare toes scrunched into the smooth cool sand. I am earthing and unearthing myself like the bird scuttering and flipping over each dead shell on the ground looking for completion.
Shadow v. The Light
The shadow is my constant companion. We are connected at the “sole.” We are together on this journey called life. My shadow warps and changes shape in response to the light. She may grow as long as a tree or seem to disappear beneath my feet. But nonetheless we are tethered whether I like it or not.
We all have a shadow side. So why do we collectively try to snuff out the darker parts of ourselves? My shadow is forever patient and steady. I may ignore her and go about my day or pretend she’s not there and distract myself from her message. She is ready even when I am not.
What is the light? It’s who I project myself to be. It’s my high points, my bright genius side. I can wrap the light around me like a blanket or hold it close like a soothing cup of tea. I am held in its warm embrace.
But sometimes the light is too much. Blinding even and I fear I will lose my footing on the path. My shadow will always guide me back, shield my eyes, and give me that necessary reprieve to regroup. The shadow is my retreat from the spotlight.
We need both the light and the shadow. We can’t have a shadow side without a lighter one. And we need not fear one and idealize the other. They can both peacefully coexist with equanimity. And we can collectively accept both sides of the same coin, us.
Healing Insights 