fueling the light within
Recently my husband and I were in our backyard enjoying the crisp air. Sitting around the fire pit I found myself drawn to the way the fire danced. While the evening felt calm, there was a small pocket of wind that traveled down the hill right to the fire pit. It was just strong enough that it looked like the fire was being blown out. Yet, as gas fire pits work, the dwindling flame relit as the gas and flames reignited. As I watched this process, I reflected on how other types of light can be blown or otherwise turn dim.
I believe we all have an inner light that can be brightened, dimmed or even blown out completely. And as I sat observing that fire, I started to think about my own light – how sometimes I allow external forces to dim my light. And while those forces exist, I have the ability to recenter, realign and recalibrate to the light energy I want to operate from.
One of my favorite phrases in yoga is something I share at the end of every class “namaste.” I cherish this word and the meaning I learned from one of my yoga mentors – “the light within me honors the light within you.” There’s something so connecting and grounding when we recognize that even with huge differences, we have the beautiful similarity of one light honoring another light. When we think of defining the word light, it also means radiant energy, turn on, illuminate, not heavy, ignite, and brighten. So many opening and expanding principles.
This month, the mindful invitation is to fuel your light within. And while there are many ways to fuel your inner light, I’ll offer three suggestions:
- Create energy from the inside out. What feels like light to you this month? What can you lighten? Consider one or two of these: breathe, step into light – look up at sky, soak in sunshine, go for a walk, pray, meditate, immerse yourself in cold water to feel your physical body “light up” with response, turn on music, clean something small, let go of something, or try a gratitude practice.
- Remember the “and.” Is there something in your life that is keeping you from feeling light? If you no longer held yourself back from that light, what would that look like for you? Imagine you’re standing in a dark room, surrounded by what is heavy or hard. You don’t need to leave the room, you may not want to. But what if you turned on a light within that room? Could there be space for light AND the heavy and hard thing?
- Think about the results you want to create. Remember, this means your results, not others! What do you want to remember one month from now? In one year? In five years? How does that perspective fuel you in the present moment?
- Practice an intention. Choose a word or phrase that connects you to your light. Practice it with breathing each morning. What do you discover?
As I’ve been walking through these invitations myself, I’ve been opened to the possibility that light really can expand, connect and grow, with even the smallest of mindset shifts. And that friends, is radiant!
