Letting the Light In
March 2004



Independence vs. Isolation
American culture today emphasizes privacy, independence, busy lives, and technology, with less focus on community. Rare are the block parties, bringing together an entire neighborhood. Many of us have potentially isolating daily routines.

Get up, go to work, (likely commute alone), work in your cubicle or office, eat lunch (sometimes at your desk or in the car), go home. Maybe you live with a spouse, significant other, family, pets; perhaps you live on your own.

Working from home, I could go nearly an entire day without speaking to anyone, much less having meaningful conversation. It is easy at times to get very focused on my work, writing, creating and forget about inviting people into my life. Occasionally it is peaceful, but done too often, I could risk depriving myself of nourishment and connection. Weekly I must consciously choose to plan time with friends and ways to bring community to my life.

Throw back the shades and let the light into your life! If you are so busy you have no time for others, take note. Life is all the richer when it is shared.

Giving and Receiving
Now just because you might be around people every day doesn’t guarantee you are letting them in or allowing yourself to receive from them. An example — we’ve all known the terrific manager, who is skilled at her job, yet we neither know anything about her personally, nor do we ever have the opportunity to support her — she is very strong and does it alone. She doesn’t ask for or allow others to give to help.

Letting the light in is for all of you hard workers who are great “givers” of time and energy to others, who rarely ask for help and shrug off compliments, somewhat uncomfortable hearing about your talents, beauty or how much you are loved. You feel awkward receiving for one reason or another, feeling vulnerable, less strong, or overwhelmed by the sense that someone might care too much or too little if you give them the chance.

Herein lies a unique opportunity for a bigger life.

Ask Yourself…
In what ways are you keeping the “shades drawn” in your life? How are you playing it safe, to avoid potential rejection (you are guaranteed it if you never try!). Who could you reach out to and invite into your life — neighbors, friends, family, a potential love? How could you “receive” compliments differently to not reject the “gift” you’ve been given? Could you ask for help and give another the pleasure of returning your support? Could you say “I love you” more to exchanging and receiving more love rather than being the “strong” or tough one who doesn’t express feelings? Could you judge yourself and others less, allowing the opportunity for deeper understanding? Who can you allow in? Who can you invite in?

In what ways can you allow more light to illuminate your life, even lighting the deepest corners, hidden in the darkness too long?

And so as the days grown longer, let more light into your home, heart and life and get out in the world! Create community; choose to share yourself and to receive more from others. Your days will become laden with new possibilities, joy, hope and laughter!

One who sits in a dark room believes that to be reality. It is only with trust and courage to take the first uncertain steps that one may find and open the door of opportunity to see what truly lies beyond.

Wishing you great joy today and always!

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