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What impedes me from shining my light? How might I work through that?
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Fear…..not feeling comfortable or validated in a situation/culture of inauthentic relationships. This can be for example in our work environment where, because of the factors I’ve mentioned, we do not truely express/share our real selves and our growth is impeded.
How might I work through that???……it’s not easy……… especially if this culture employs you. This brings Carl Rodgers to mind for me and his person centred approach to counselling……… when I am my true self with another person, this creates the space/environment for and invites that person to be their true selves, and creates the opportunity for growth in both of us. This is one of his core beliefs.
I don´t know. To let go of aspects belonging to the persona, I guess. Like covered shyness, or easily feeling guilty for almost nothing, or the opposite as well, to find back to faith and trust as well in own capacities in order to give gratefulness the space. I feel is all there but often not adequately expressed, which is related intimately to the light shining.
What impedes me from shining my light? I think it’s too dim right now for me to shine it, and when I have, I have been misunderstood for being ‘too nice’, or being phony. I am not sure how I feel anymore. I’ve lost sight of my gratefulness, which is why I’m back. I’m grateful for a lot of stuff, but I lose this feeling too often now. I’m working on bringing myself back to center and feeling truy grateful again.
I am grateful tonight for you and your genuine voice.
There are those souls who shined a light for me when I also could not find my own. Now I, and other kind souls here, can shine a light for you until you find yours again. 🕯
I don’t shine my light because I am afraid of failure. I know that in order to grow one must fail and learn from it. I am what you would call over the hill and I’m afraid that my failures will show weakness, especially with my employer. I’m afraid I will lose my job. I guess in order to work through it I need to know my worth. I’m not. The only way to learn is sometimes through failure. It is definitely something that I need to pray on.
Fear is what impedes me from shining my light. I could remind myself that having the courage to push past my fears will allow me to shine my light and be the person I ment to be.
I think it is that I don’t deserve the success that would come with it. I have always held back, despite so many people telling me how talented I am. It is hard to take in, and even harder to act on.
Perhaps by coincidence, perhaps not, I was reading Jack Kornfield’s meditation on grief today. (I have not had a chance to practice it yet.) I was also thinking about some of my close relationships recently.
A pattern that I notice is the tendency to become defensive–and even combative–around vulnerable areas. I don’t want to absent myself from this. I know that I do it as well, but I also work very diligently to be forthright in my relationships. However, I have a history of others doing this to me, and I believe that I carry a lot of pain from that.
It prevents me from feeling safe in my relationships. It breeds a lot of resentment within me, like I am always in an argument with those around me, trying to fight back against what was said or done in the past. It is draining and isolating.
I believe that I do need to process my grief so that I can move through it.
I’m encouraged everyday by this precious life! I of course have suffered just like everyone has, but I’m amazed at how the universe knows exactly the right amount to keep me going. I work through my suffering by meditation. I repent many times a day and am amazed at how the light shines through more and more revealing more and more truth.
So I guess the only impediment to the light is my own human mind.
Letting go allows the the light to shine everywhere.
Thank you 🙏
This question could not have arrived at a better time in my life. The nature of my current circumstances make me feel as though this is the lesson hiding behind it. I believe that the fear of judgement impedes me from shining my light, especially if it comes from the people I love. As I try to take steps to discover my authentic self and embrace my light, many people are not shy in communicating their opinions towards the “new me”, which consequently, has dimmed my light. It is as though I am back where I started. Now ready for a solution, I believe I can work through the judgement by cultivating a strong self-image and self-confidence about who I am and what my mission is. When the foundation of a house is strong, there is no way it will fall down. When I realize that the changes I am making are to build this foundation for myself, then what the world has to say to my light should and will no longer matter.
Well, it’s mornings like this. I felt a bit stuck. So I read your responses first. Incredible. Thank you all so much for your very deep wisdom and fearlessly sharing of yourselves here. You are all shining your light on me. 🙏
I can get bogged down in the day to day stuff that is necessary for my survival, it can be overwhelming and it has the effect of dimming my light of kindness and awareness.
Taking time for reflection, my daily practices, and reminding myself, again and again of this life’s ephemeral nature, help to bring me back to a place of acceptance.
I absolutely love the last line, “Taking time for reflection, my daily practices, and reminding myself, again and again of this life’s ephemeral nature, help to bring me back to a place of acceptance.” Really well said. Wishing you much success on your journey!
This is an easy one for me….it’s most often my ever-present fear and anxiety that has the potential to dim my light. I’d like to think however, that my light still shines through regardless. .
My daughters have often commented on my bravery….they see my anxiety and how hard I fight it and strive to be loving-kindness no matter.
Leonard Cohen’s “Anthem” comes to mind:
“Ring the bells that still can ring,
Forget your perfect offering,
There is a crack in everything,
That’s how the light gets in”
And I would humbly suggest, “That’s how the light gets OUT”
Om Shanti friends 🙏
I love your take on the light metaphor, that the light never really does stop shining, and not only that, it continues to shine through. Beautifully said, thank you for sharing this excerpt. Wishing you much success on your journey!
I appreciate the comments people made about their light being their inner qualities. My first reaction to this question was that it felt to me as if it started from a place of ego, self-promotion, making sure others know I’m bright. That isn’t the kind of shining I need any encouragement for! And I’ve been working to make sure my light doesn’t shadow others or shade them out. An inner light of mindfulness, kindness, and other qualities I want to nourish requires that I stay aware of those aspects and embody them in my interactions with others. The only impedance is myself and getting caught up in doing rather than being and interbeing.
Yesterday I listened to a talk by Prentis Hemphill on the Collective Trauma Summit 2022. He spoke of how the song This Little Light of Mine was infused with ancestral wisdom gained through horrific suffering. A take away for me from this was how a song can inspire and motivate and empower the choice in our thoughts and actions to stay connected to ‘the light’: to stay true to our humanity in challenging times. So now I’m thinking about how a simple song can empower us: ‘Choosing belonging through a universal source over comfort within a human-created story’ reverse the question, how does letting my light shine help me to work through what impedes me.
Carol -yes, the human created story is a powerful way to look at things. From. The universe perspective it doesn’t exist. Humans do a lot with their stories. Thank you .
What impedes me from shining my light? I think the universal answer to that question is that the EGO keeps us from shining our light.
How does the ego do that? It does it through our emotions. It interprets feelings as facts. We then re-act instead of respond to life.
How might I work through that? There is only one way for me. I must be willing to grow in awareness and trust that life will show me the way. Open heart and open mind because everyone and everything is my teacher.
Judging and criticizing myself and feeling less than impedes me from shining my light. My light has all the credibility it needs so I will let it shine rather than give into a fear of judgement or validity. I cannot control how it is received. As long as my intentions are consistent with my values than it’s full steam ahead.
I think maintaining my self-care helps me to have the energy to create and to help others. The self-care helps me to sleep better and to be physically and mentally healthier.
I think self care can be very individual. It almost always includes physical health, but of course that care will be different for each of us because we are in different places. I’m trying to walk, to meditate, and to eat more vegetables and drink more water. I have trouble sleeping, so my self care today includes trying a different strategy to see if I can sleep better tonight. Self care also includes mental and emotional well being. For me, I know I can sometimes be self isolating, so making sure that I reach out, not only socially, but some emotional intimacy, too… which I mean loosely… just being “genuine” with someone… that is important for me. And part of my mental health includes giving myself time for creative expression. For some, it will mean recognizing toxic people, and finding a way to distance or protect oneself from them. So I think the first step is figuring out what things make the most difference for you. What gives you your good days and your not so good days?
This question/language does not seem to connect with me. so I will let it be.
I do want to say Good Morning to my friend Diane on this Prayer Tuesday. How are you and your family faring? I think of you often and hope that you are well.
Good morning Pilgrim.. So grateful as always to be here with you on Prayer Tuesday. Your thoughts of us warm my heart. We are taking one day at a time, which of course is really the best way to live! Practicing being fully present and radical acceptance brings great peace…most of the time anyway! Anxiety still likes to visit but as our friend Rumi says:
“This being human is a guest house.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.”
Dear Friend, I was here early today, so came back around. I so appreciate the deep wisdom you share in both of your posts this morning. I have spent a fair amount of time alone lately, and the friendship I find here is such a gift. Thank you so very much!
My thoughts of the past and potential future still haunt me at times. My anxiety shows it’s ugly head and still tries to come up. Ive realized that after 60 + years, it will probably always be present I the background. My daily meditation, readings and living in the present is my personal treatment and way of controlling my skeletons.
This makes me recall the hymn, “I am free, I am unlimited there are no chains that bind me. I am free, I am unlimited right now, right now” https://www.hymnlyrics.org/newlyrics_i/i_am_free_i_am_unlimited.php While there may be barriers to some of my goals in the external world, the only barriers to my light come from my mind. Consistent commitment to the path let’s my light shine brightly.
I find find comfort in being with others who know the losses and limitations of aging that impede our light from shining. Perhaps we were once the keeper of a light shining on an ocean. Now we find we are the keeper of a light shining on a lake. But if we light the way for one person feeling loss or one who is lost that can be enough. Sometimes we will just need to bring light to ourselves. Isn’t that one of the reasons we are here together?
Like others have already said, it’s pain and exhaustion that dims my light. At those times I try to give in and completely focus on and rest in the inner light that is always there to be found. If I can connect with that beautiful light I feel sustained and at peace.
Fear impedes me from shining my light….fear of the unknown, fear of failing, fear of loss. Working through this means I need to let go and trust my faith always.
Among the physical aches and pains that come with the aging process and a life filled with manual labor it is my addiction that has dimmed my light most. I have used those as an excuse for my use of alcohol in the past. But more often I actually used alcohol to cover up and numb my emotions and circumstances. For the past eight months of sobriety, I have had long and short periods before this time, I am conducting a practice of mindfulness, meditation and gratitude. With the promise of a better mental outlook and the hope of neuroplasticity that I have learned about, I hope to shine my improved light. Thank you everyone for this site. I am glad I discovered it.
Your light shines brightly! I always remind myself that I have to give light to myself first so I can share it with others. You are doing that already by taking care of yourself. You are light! Congratulations on your journey to recovery, blessings to you. I thank you for sharing your light with us!
Congratulations for 8 months.! You had decided to change your way of dealing with personal pain. It’s been 11 years for me and like you I decided to choose a better path. Be proud of yourself. Continue on !♥️
Constant Physical pain dims my light on a regular basis! I find my spiritual practises are like a structure that supports me, when I struggle to support myself.
Even on the darkest day, there is always light somewhere.
My light shines pretty bright most of the time, but frustrations can dim it occasionally. Its time like those that give me the opportunity to put lessons into practice and really look at why I’ve been thrown off. There is, I believe, a lesson in everything, and there’s also always room for growth. So I do the work and shine on…
In the past two months I have had a lack of motivation. I suspended my meditation and got absorbed in social media, my work and my commitments, practically traveling on autopilot. I lost sight of myself and prioritized everything that was outside of me, it happens to me every now and then and that’s what keeps me from shining. This leaves me with a feeling of numbness but at some point I get tired of this condition, I start meditating again and take some time for myself. It is a circle that repeats itself and repeats itself over and over and the way I work on it is by observing myself when I feel things are wrong, understanding what I really need (not what the outside world is telling me) and following it. I just listen and act, it doesn’t come automatically and it requires some effort but I decide to do it anyway.
Physical limitations and more so its related pain, these days, can keep me from shining my light in places I once did. I find it very frustrating. Accepting that reality is how I work through it, reluctantly.
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Fear…..not feeling comfortable or validated in a situation/culture of inauthentic relationships. This can be for example in our work environment where, because of the factors I’ve mentioned, we do not truely express/share our real selves and our growth is impeded.
How might I work through that???……it’s not easy……… especially if this culture employs you. This brings Carl Rodgers to mind for me and his person centred approach to counselling……… when I am my true self with another person, this creates the space/environment for and invites that person to be their true selves, and creates the opportunity for growth in both of us. This is one of his core beliefs.
I don´t know. To let go of aspects belonging to the persona, I guess. Like covered shyness, or easily feeling guilty for almost nothing, or the opposite as well, to find back to faith and trust as well in own capacities in order to give gratefulness the space. I feel is all there but often not adequately expressed, which is related intimately to the light shining.
What impedes me from shining my light? I think it’s too dim right now for me to shine it, and when I have, I have been misunderstood for being ‘too nice’, or being phony. I am not sure how I feel anymore. I’ve lost sight of my gratefulness, which is why I’m back. I’m grateful for a lot of stuff, but I lose this feeling too often now. I’m working on bringing myself back to center and feeling truy grateful again.
I am grateful tonight for you and your genuine voice.
There are those souls who shined a light for me when I also could not find my own. Now I, and other kind souls here, can shine a light for you until you find yours again. 🕯
I don’t shine my light because I am afraid of failure. I know that in order to grow one must fail and learn from it. I am what you would call over the hill and I’m afraid that my failures will show weakness, especially with my employer. I’m afraid I will lose my job. I guess in order to work through it I need to know my worth. I’m not. The only way to learn is sometimes through failure. It is definitely something that I need to pray on.
Fear is what impedes me from shining my light. I could remind myself that having the courage to push past my fears will allow me to shine my light and be the person I ment to be.
The internal dialogue – it is always there but it is best as left as background noise rather than giving it any attention.
I think it is that I don’t deserve the success that would come with it. I have always held back, despite so many people telling me how talented I am. It is hard to take in, and even harder to act on.
Perhaps by coincidence, perhaps not, I was reading Jack Kornfield’s meditation on grief today. (I have not had a chance to practice it yet.) I was also thinking about some of my close relationships recently.
A pattern that I notice is the tendency to become defensive–and even combative–around vulnerable areas. I don’t want to absent myself from this. I know that I do it as well, but I also work very diligently to be forthright in my relationships. However, I have a history of others doing this to me, and I believe that I carry a lot of pain from that.
It prevents me from feeling safe in my relationships. It breeds a lot of resentment within me, like I am always in an argument with those around me, trying to fight back against what was said or done in the past. It is draining and isolating.
I believe that I do need to process my grief so that I can move through it.
I’m encouraged everyday by this precious life! I of course have suffered just like everyone has, but I’m amazed at how the universe knows exactly the right amount to keep me going. I work through my suffering by meditation. I repent many times a day and am amazed at how the light shines through more and more revealing more and more truth.
So I guess the only impediment to the light is my own human mind.
Letting go allows the the light to shine everywhere.
Thank you 🙏
This question could not have arrived at a better time in my life. The nature of my current circumstances make me feel as though this is the lesson hiding behind it. I believe that the fear of judgement impedes me from shining my light, especially if it comes from the people I love. As I try to take steps to discover my authentic self and embrace my light, many people are not shy in communicating their opinions towards the “new me”, which consequently, has dimmed my light. It is as though I am back where I started. Now ready for a solution, I believe I can work through the judgement by cultivating a strong self-image and self-confidence about who I am and what my mission is. When the foundation of a house is strong, there is no way it will fall down. When I realize that the changes I am making are to build this foundation for myself, then what the world has to say to my light should and will no longer matter.
Well, it’s mornings like this. I felt a bit stuck. So I read your responses first. Incredible. Thank you all so much for your very deep wisdom and fearlessly sharing of yourselves here. You are all shining your light on me. 🙏
I can get bogged down in the day to day stuff that is necessary for my survival, it can be overwhelming and it has the effect of dimming my light of kindness and awareness.
Taking time for reflection, my daily practices, and reminding myself, again and again of this life’s ephemeral nature, help to bring me back to a place of acceptance.
I absolutely love the last line, “Taking time for reflection, my daily practices, and reminding myself, again and again of this life’s ephemeral nature, help to bring me back to a place of acceptance.” Really well said. Wishing you much success on your journey!
This is an easy one for me….it’s most often my ever-present fear and anxiety that has the potential to dim my light. I’d like to think however, that my light still shines through regardless. .
My daughters have often commented on my bravery….they see my anxiety and how hard I fight it and strive to be loving-kindness no matter.
Leonard Cohen’s “Anthem” comes to mind:
“Ring the bells that still can ring,
Forget your perfect offering,
There is a crack in everything,
That’s how the light gets in”
And I would humbly suggest, “That’s how the light gets OUT”
Om Shanti friends 🙏
I love your take on the light metaphor, that the light never really does stop shining, and not only that, it continues to shine through. Beautifully said, thank you for sharing this excerpt. Wishing you much success on your journey!
I appreciate the comments people made about their light being their inner qualities. My first reaction to this question was that it felt to me as if it started from a place of ego, self-promotion, making sure others know I’m bright. That isn’t the kind of shining I need any encouragement for! And I’ve been working to make sure my light doesn’t shadow others or shade them out. An inner light of mindfulness, kindness, and other qualities I want to nourish requires that I stay aware of those aspects and embody them in my interactions with others. The only impedance is myself and getting caught up in doing rather than being and interbeing.
Yesterday I listened to a talk by Prentis Hemphill on the Collective Trauma Summit 2022. He spoke of how the song This Little Light of Mine was infused with ancestral wisdom gained through horrific suffering. A take away for me from this was how a song can inspire and motivate and empower the choice in our thoughts and actions to stay connected to ‘the light’: to stay true to our humanity in challenging times. So now I’m thinking about how a simple song can empower us: ‘Choosing belonging through a universal source over comfort within a human-created story’ reverse the question, how does letting my light shine help me to work through what impedes me.
Carol -yes, the human created story is a powerful way to look at things. From. The universe perspective it doesn’t exist. Humans do a lot with their stories. Thank you .
What impedes me from shining my light? I think the universal answer to that question is that the EGO keeps us from shining our light.
How does the ego do that? It does it through our emotions. It interprets feelings as facts. We then re-act instead of respond to life.
How might I work through that? There is only one way for me. I must be willing to grow in awareness and trust that life will show me the way. Open heart and open mind because everyone and everything is my teacher.
Nothing – while my light shines with different degrees of brightness, in different sizes and types of spaces, each day it continues to shine.
Amen
Judging and criticizing myself and feeling less than impedes me from shining my light. My light has all the credibility it needs so I will let it shine rather than give into a fear of judgement or validity. I cannot control how it is received. As long as my intentions are consistent with my values than it’s full steam ahead.
I think maintaining my self-care helps me to have the energy to create and to help others. The self-care helps me to sleep better and to be physically and mentally healthier.
Holly,
I like this. We could have a class on self care. I am sure I could learn and do better. What do you think is the most helpful thing you do?
I think self care can be very individual. It almost always includes physical health, but of course that care will be different for each of us because we are in different places. I’m trying to walk, to meditate, and to eat more vegetables and drink more water. I have trouble sleeping, so my self care today includes trying a different strategy to see if I can sleep better tonight. Self care also includes mental and emotional well being. For me, I know I can sometimes be self isolating, so making sure that I reach out, not only socially, but some emotional intimacy, too… which I mean loosely… just being “genuine” with someone… that is important for me. And part of my mental health includes giving myself time for creative expression. For some, it will mean recognizing toxic people, and finding a way to distance or protect oneself from them. So I think the first step is figuring out what things make the most difference for you. What gives you your good days and your not so good days?
This question/language does not seem to connect with me. so I will let it be.
I do want to say Good Morning to my friend Diane on this Prayer Tuesday. How are you and your family faring? I think of you often and hope that you are well.
Love it – let it be
Good morning Pilgrim.. So grateful as always to be here with you on Prayer Tuesday. Your thoughts of us warm my heart. We are taking one day at a time, which of course is really the best way to live! Practicing being fully present and radical acceptance brings great peace…most of the time anyway! Anxiety still likes to visit but as our friend Rumi says:
“This being human is a guest house.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.”
~Many blessings dear friend 🙏💜
Dear Friend, I was here early today, so came back around. I so appreciate the deep wisdom you share in both of your posts this morning. I have spent a fair amount of time alone lately, and the friendship I find here is such a gift. Thank you so very much!
My thoughts of the past and potential future still haunt me at times. My anxiety shows it’s ugly head and still tries to come up. Ive realized that after 60 + years, it will probably always be present I the background. My daily meditation, readings and living in the present is my personal treatment and way of controlling my skeletons.
Hi devy – I really appreciate you talking about your demons this way. We are not those uncomfortable emotions. Your light shines bright. 🌻
This makes me recall the hymn, “I am free, I am unlimited there are no chains that bind me. I am free, I am unlimited right now, right now” https://www.hymnlyrics.org/newlyrics_i/i_am_free_i_am_unlimited.php While there may be barriers to some of my goals in the external world, the only barriers to my light come from my mind. Consistent commitment to the path let’s my light shine brightly.
I find find comfort in being with others who know the losses and limitations of aging that impede our light from shining. Perhaps we were once the keeper of a light shining on an ocean. Now we find we are the keeper of a light shining on a lake. But if we light the way for one person feeling loss or one who is lost that can be enough. Sometimes we will just need to bring light to ourselves. Isn’t that one of the reasons we are here together?
Like others have already said, it’s pain and exhaustion that dims my light. At those times I try to give in and completely focus on and rest in the inner light that is always there to be found. If I can connect with that beautiful light I feel sustained and at peace.
Fear impedes me from shining my light….fear of the unknown, fear of failing, fear of loss. Working through this means I need to let go and trust my faith always.
Among the physical aches and pains that come with the aging process and a life filled with manual labor it is my addiction that has dimmed my light most. I have used those as an excuse for my use of alcohol in the past. But more often I actually used alcohol to cover up and numb my emotions and circumstances. For the past eight months of sobriety, I have had long and short periods before this time, I am conducting a practice of mindfulness, meditation and gratitude. With the promise of a better mental outlook and the hope of neuroplasticity that I have learned about, I hope to shine my improved light. Thank you everyone for this site. I am glad I discovered it.
Your light shines brightly! I always remind myself that I have to give light to myself first so I can share it with others. You are doing that already by taking care of yourself. You are light! Congratulations on your journey to recovery, blessings to you. I thank you for sharing your light with us!
Congratulations for 8 months.! You had decided to change your way of dealing with personal pain. It’s been 11 years for me and like you I decided to choose a better path. Be proud of yourself. Continue on !♥️
Constant Physical pain dims my light on a regular basis! I find my spiritual practises are like a structure that supports me, when I struggle to support myself.
Even on the darkest day, there is always light somewhere.
Ya know, some days the light is on and some days the light is off. It is as it is, let it be.
My light shines pretty bright most of the time, but frustrations can dim it occasionally. Its time like those that give me the opportunity to put lessons into practice and really look at why I’ve been thrown off. There is, I believe, a lesson in everything, and there’s also always room for growth. So I do the work and shine on…
In the past two months I have had a lack of motivation. I suspended my meditation and got absorbed in social media, my work and my commitments, practically traveling on autopilot. I lost sight of myself and prioritized everything that was outside of me, it happens to me every now and then and that’s what keeps me from shining. This leaves me with a feeling of numbness but at some point I get tired of this condition, I start meditating again and take some time for myself. It is a circle that repeats itself and repeats itself over and over and the way I work on it is by observing myself when I feel things are wrong, understanding what I really need (not what the outside world is telling me) and following it. I just listen and act, it doesn’t come automatically and it requires some effort but I decide to do it anyway.
Eeevvv, I can totally relate to your post. We just have to forgive ourselves and start over again, and again, and again😊
Physical limitations and more so its related pain, these days, can keep me from shining my light in places I once did. I find it very frustrating. Accepting that reality is how I work through it, reluctantly.
I can really relate to what you say. Steadfast acceptance when you notice resistence is a kind of super- power!
All I can answer to this is, “My heart is at peace.” I hope it stays that way, and I think it has to do with inner light.
Inner Light lives between your words, Christine. Truly.