Light Within the Shadows

“We have choice in everything we do. Are we willing to show up, take center stage, and add our light to the production? If so, then we have to take responsibility and accountability for our own role, preparedness, and readiness to take center stage and play full out. Are we willing to bring what we have so that we can grow, develop, and dig deeper? It’s up to us to really look at what we bring and give quality to our offering. Is it the best we have to offer or are we holding back somehow? Are we willing to receive feedback so that we can improve our performance or do we take the feedback personally or perhaps over-sensitively and get devastated by it? Do we allow ourselves to benefit from the experience and incorporate the lessons learned into our next attempt so that we apply the wisdom gleaned? Do we forgive ourselves for not doing better, applaud our efforts for even trying, and stay open to continuing to try by reaching and striving for our very best? These questions can help us not only engage and participate in life, but also shine no matter what the circumstances.” ~Rev. Sunshine Michelle Coleman

Stars shine in daylight, but we cannot see their twinkle without the darkness of night. Just like the water in the ocean is always glistening and sparkling, we cannot see the sparkles on the water without the illumination of the light.  There is a complementary partnership of the light and shadows that illuminates the richness of each.  While it may seem that one may overpower the other, actually one cannot be seen without the support of the other.  When we can appreciate both, we welcome levity of light and the depths of darkness to create balance and wholeness.

Light and dark co-exist together and cradle each other in support. There isn’t one without the other. They each have their own traits and characteristics. They may seem to operate independently, but actually they are a pair that work in unison as complements within the spectrum. Generally, we have learned to embrace the light as good and avoid darkness as bad given its unknowns and mystery. However, the two work powerfully in synergy together. This month we are exploring how to appreciate and welcome both light and dark for what they each bring and offer the other.