Be a Light in the Darkness
Summer is a time of light, warmth, and positivity. The higher temperatures and longer daylight hours lead many of us to move at a slower pace, take days off of work, and reconnect with our spirits.
Even though the Summer Solstice is right around the corner, and my heart should be filled with joy, today, I am filled with grief and sadness. 21 people have senselessly been murdered in a school in Texas. Ten people will never come home again to their loved ones after a racially motivated shooting in Buffalo. A war is raging in Ukraine–a modern-day genocide. How can we let our lights shine in a world that seems to be full of darkness?
Events like mass shootings and wars are difficult to process. Many of us have very strong feelings about situations like these, and those strong feelings can lead to polarization. My goal is not to say what is “right” or “wrong,” but rather to guide you through processing challenging events and letting them fuel your inner flame so you can be a light in the world.
It can be easy to get caught up in the negativity and gloom associated with evil events. Simply reading one article online or watching one news story can lead you down a rabbit hole of despair, disgust, and anger. Those feelings are normal and okay, but we don’t want to stay stuck there. We need to process those emotions and transform them into something beautiful. Our inner light may become dimmed by hardships and challenges. When that happens, here are some suggestions to reignite your flame:
*Smile at yourself. This may seem silly, but it is very impactful! Simply looking in the mirror and smiling at your gorgeous self improves your self-esteem, bringing your inner light to the surface.
*Spend time outside. Leave your phone inside if you can, and reconnect with Mother Earth. Walk barefoot in the grass or on the beach, stroll through the woods, or sit in a garden. Spending time in nature is grounding and re-establishes our place on this earth, at this moment in time.
*Use positive affirmations. What are you afraid of or nervous about? Take your negative thoughts and rephrase them in a positive sense. For example, if the recent shootings are weighing heavily on you, turn your anxiety around by saying, “I am safe. I am protected. I am where I need to be right now. I am connected to Universal energy.”
*Meditation. Sit quietly for two to three minutes. Gently close your eyes, and place your hands on your heart. Now just breathe; connect with your soul, and go inside to your peaceful place. Visualize your entire being surrounded by bright, golden light. This light protects you and connects you to source energy and infinite intelligence. You can also do a guided meditation – here are some to get you started!
Engaging in any of the above activities does not mean that you will automatically “feel better” about such atrocities. Rather the goal is to help you transform your inner self by raising your vibration so you can create the outer reality you desire. By filling ourselves up with light, we let it shine from our very beings, into the sometimes dark and scary world.
Namaste,
Want to meditate but don’t know how to get started? Join our guided lunchtime meditation group (zoom) or guided meditation and intention setting group (in-person)! Learn more here.