The unknown may feel scary
that darkness of uncertainty
looms large
and we feel small
like a lost child
afraid of the night
and bigger shadows
fear, uncertainty,
doubt, worry
our survival can be
called into question.
To venture beyond seems
otherworldly or
reckless
To liberate the bonds of fear
we must first bring those
shadows into view
into the light
to be examined
to be seen
and then their booming
dire
warning siren seems to be dimmed
A dimmer switch,
which we absolutely
control,
It is within our grasp
and we have the authority
the audacity
the key
to choose how much depth
and breadth that fear has over us
There is no permission slip
needed.
The permission was only ours
to give
to ourselves
To liberate these bonds of fear
know, my dear,
that it is safe.
Step out of the darkness
and into the light
Tag: shadow
It is not dark or full of shadow
It is not dark or full of shadow
the light illuminates
the hidden parts,
buried treasures
just beneath the surface
What jewels do you have
hidden, just out of view?
forgotten
or pushed to the edge of the frame
and it falls away from our
consciousness.
our good intentions
literally laid to rest
It can be dirty.
hard work has its labors
beneath the dirt and grime
the jewel lies in the hands
of the beholder
I am that spark of light
a jewel hidden behind
the sparkle of your eye
It is not cold or dark here
a warm, moist soil
Nourished and ready to
flourish
to become
what was just a seed of potential
Loving hands parted
the soft earth
to make a bed for me
And I lay down
like rose petals’ sweet scents
peppering the rich soil
And in these fertile conditions
I bloom
I become
I am
Today
I draw the curtain back
and allow the sunlight to
fill the room and all its
edges and corners with light
– sweet blessed light –
to chase away the darkness
of the night.
I was afraid of the dark
as a child I saw the shadows
dance across the walls and
I was filled with terror.
As a child I was powerless
the world loomed large and I
so small, too small to make a difference
to be heard.
The curtain clears the cobwebs
of my mind and I greet the day
counting my blessings to be alive
today is the only one that counts
Today I can make a difference and I do.
I can steer and guide that light
– that inner light intermingled with dark –
and shine a flashlight on all that was
– and is –
filled with fear and unknowing.
I can manipulate and warp the light
like a prism broken into all its colorful
rays of light.
Today I make finger puppets with the shadow
We play and walk,
morphing our shadows into one.
Fear still grips at me sometimes
even in full daylight
Shocks and anxieties aglow
I breathe
And as I do, I steady my heart.
The tick tock of a clock
mimics my heartbeat and I
find that connection once more
to be grateful to be alive.
Today, this moment
I cherish the lessons
even those not faint of heart
that grew and morphed and shaped me
into me
And I smile and greet the day.
Shadow and Light
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.
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 