Summer Solstice.
We celebrate the arrival of the summer on June 21st, the longest day of the year, but really, what happens is the opposite. With each day after the first day of the summer, we lose minutes of sunshine, all the way up to December 21st, the shortest day of the year, when the light begins to return.
When I had horses, it was all about holding on until December 21st. Trudging in the darkness at 5:30, feeding, watering, and blanketing horses, headlamp bobbing a beam of weak light through the woods, I would keep muttering to myself, "Hold on until the 21st. Just hold on." Same routine, same mantra, morning and night, until the return of the sun. From the first day of summer on, it was a straight trudge into darkness, both literal and figurative.
But now.
My very favorite yoga teacher, Cindy Olah of Sacred Garden Yoga, always makes me think when I hit the mat (and hold Warrior II for far too long, but that is a totally separate issue). Last night she talked about the solstice and pointed out that truly, the light resides in us.
Profound.
Okay, and a little New Age-y, I will admit, but it feels true to me.
We don't always get out of the way and let it shine, but that doesn't even matter. Even when we are at our darkest, the light exists in us. We don't need to push or force or any of that. Just SHINE. Let go. Get out of your own fucking way.
Very hard, lovelies. I know.
But this little light of mine? I'm gonna let it shine.
I hope to get the hell out of my own way, and I think I have done admirably in the past few months. So much to see when you allow yourself the time and space to evolve.
If you let go, what would shine in you? Who would you be or what would you do if you knew you could not fail? Please share your answer in the comments. I'd love to see a conversation bubble.
Enjoy your long day. Let it shine.
It has only been the last 3-4 years that I have reached a place where (to continue your sunday school song extended metaphor) I have refused to hide my light under a bushel. Sometimes illumination is scary; both to us and to others. It exposes truth - as ugly as that may be. But it is light none the less and any amount of light allows you to escape the darkness and from I have learned it is that darkness that refused to allow you to truly grow and inspire and live.
ReplyDeleteIf I knew I wouldn't fail I would give up everything, live in a van with my family, and go from underpass to underpass in the United States reminding people that they have a purpose; a purpose greater than their eyes can see and their minds can imagine. I would find my inspiration by inspiring others to let their lights shine.
I have found some ugly truths about myself in the past 16 months, but they are all a part of the process, I think. Your desire to move forward and give back (or just give forward) to others is going to be a fulfilling path for you, and I can't wait to see it unfold.
ReplyDeleteIf I got out of my own way, I would be a more forgiving and less judgmental person....which would make me more accepting of people, and less stressed out when people in my life do something wrong, ( or that I see wrong in my eyes) I am pretty harsh. I also think I would get more housework done, save more money, and sleep more. The person I would be if I could not fail? A singer, and go on a show like the voice and WIN. I love music. So to be able to move people with a song would be awesome. :)
ReplyDeleteWe are all in our own way, for sure. I see beautiful things this year for you, though!!!
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