subject: A Gift Indeed! [print this page] A Gift Indeed! A Gift Indeed!
What a beautiful season! This time of yearreveals a number of worldwide traditions, and even withallthe cultural differences there is one common theme lights.
Think about it; the wise men followed the star, pagans placed candles on their trees,Diwaliis the Festival of Lightsin India,Rajab is a holy time filled with lights and honored for thirty daysby the Muslims, the Jewish community celebrates Hanukah, streets are linedforthe Christian Christmas season, candles are litduring Kwanza along with many others around the world. The point being, no matter what the spiritual / religiousbelief is, lights are a centralpart of thefestivities.
So I ask,what is the big deal about illumination? Is there any real significance to hanging extra lights or burning more candles? Seriously, what is the fascination with brightening things up?
In all honesty,this is the darkesttime of year, and it's always nice to havemore than enough lightavailable.However, I do believe there'smore to this than a silly need to light up a mantle, room, window or city for that matter.
Light is obviously an important aspect to life. Plants need it in order to thrive and it's a well known fact that human beings suffer onseveral levels when they don't get enough light. It's a guide and indicator; it's an energy required for survival; it's even the promise of a beautiful day.
According to various definitions, the spiritual meaning of light is Divine Truth', which, if considered without question,makes darknessa less than favorable experience. It goes without saying, manyof us believe thatbad things happen around dark corners, that we don't want to walk alone down a dark street, and thatdarkness is the timewhen the boogey man' comes out to play. Conversely, when you put some thought into it,darkness is a time for rest; a chance to reset, regenerateand build strength spiritually, physically and emotionally.
When we take some time to look at it from this perspective, I'd have to say that honoring ourselves with an abundance of light is a beautiful reminder of all that's possible, and we wouldn't be able to see the light without the darkness. These little beaconsleadus into the next season, the next phase and the New Year. Consider the following:we all know, the moon cycles every twenty-eight days; from new moon to full moon two weeks later and back to new moon. In the cultures that synchronize with the lunar cycle, the new moonindicates the opportunity to go within, envision, gain clarity and plan your moves. As the full moon rises, it's now time to take action and manifest. What a brilliant demonstration of using both the light and the dark to support and balance one another out.
Unfortunately, many people become so entrenched in the stress of the day, week, month and year. They're no longer able to see the forest for the trees. Not that there is anything wrong with them, they're simply caught up withbeing good parents, children, adult children to aging parents, bosses, employees, friends, partners, spouses and more and without a light' to guide them or remind them of their own light, they remain in the dark about anything other than where they currently stand.
Today,I happened to be in my usual coffee shop. It was filled with many familiar faces as well as the occasional unfamiliar one wondering in and out. While I was fixing my cup, an older woman approached the bar to do the same. Her shoulders werehunched andpulled in over her heart, her eyes lowered with no indication she even knew she was surrounded by anything other than a threat. She appeared bewildered and closed off to the world. Little did she know today was her lucky day because in spite of noticing her posture, I spoke to her anyway. She happened to be wearing a very common style hat; although, hers caught my attention to the point where I felt compelled to say something to her. So, without reservation, I spoke up and commented on the way the hat complimented her eyes. She stopped working with her coffee and opened right up telling me all about her current situation with her mom, dementia and the effects it was having on her. The story' continued for as long as it took her to finish dressing' her coffee, or was it the other way around. No matter, she was highly appreciative and made a point to say so.
As she walked away, I felt so open, so loving to the point I felt like I was glowing. It was the strangest thing; all I did was compliment a hat and felt a ten-fold reward! I also noticed her body as she walked away; her head was up, her shoulders were back and eyes were engaged; she looked like a different woman. What I realized in that very moment was just how badly people want to feel safe and let their hair down'. That's all she wanted, and if that was the case for her, just how many other people out there want some of the same? I left feeling like I could light up a room with the exhilaration coursing through my body and was ready to do it again!
About twenty minutes later, I encountered an older gentlemen that I'd met in that very same coffee shop weeks earlier; although this time, he was walking along the street with a huge basket of clean laundry. We briefly madeeye contact, and in that flash, I remembered his name, David. Not knowing whether or not he'd remember me at all because he is slightly removed from society by choice, I acknowledged him anyway. He stopped and reached out with his lame hand to hold mine. The energy that passed between us was lovely; we were completely connected in that moment; and, if his face was at the very least a mirror of mine, both of our eyes were twinkling with delight. Again, I walked away feeling on top of the world. Twice I honored a feeling to reach out, and twice I was rewarded with this feeling of utter joy.
Hmmm maybe, just maybe that's what all these lights are about! Knowing what I know about the different cultures and our relationship to the light and the dark, maybe these seasonal lights are radiant reminders of the joy that's possible when we allow ourselves to be the light in someone else's day! These two individuals have two very different reasons for living in the dark', and a very brief exchange with me left all of us feeling understood and glowing! What a gift ..
A gift indeed! This is the season of lights. So, I say, in honor of yourself and this holiday, take note of those strangers' around you and pay attention to that Divine Truth / Inspiration. Connect with them and allow yourself to be the light in their day!
