Celebrating the Light
There are two kinds of light—
the glow that illuminates, and the glare that obscures.
~James Thurber
the glow that illuminates, and the glare that obscures.
~James Thurber
Join Our 30-Day Pilgrmage Into Joy!
Day 13 : We focus our attention on the "Light" of things.
I often reorient myself toward the Light? Do you?
I do so when the weight of the world may feel heavy upon me, or I receive bad news, or something more mundane might happen, something as silly as running out of cream for my morning coffee.
If I allow it to, negativity, disappointment, can creep in. It saunters in slowly and grabs my attention, turning me toward it with a unique allure all its own. Even feeling bad can sometimes feel good ...
And then, blessedly, a deeper, truer part of me—my essence—makes its voice heard.
"Lean toward the Light," she'll say. "Choose again." And I do. In that pivotal moment of decision, I can change my reality. What seemed so upsetting just a moment before is now nothing more than a memory.
Perhaps this is why I love to celebrate Summer Solstice. This longest day of the year (in the western hemisphere) reminds me that the Light is ever-present. In the summer, daylight is evident for nearly 17 hours of the day. In the winter, it can appear for as few as 8 hours. It never really goes away. It simply changes hue and intensity. I only have to reorient myself toward the Light to feel its glow.
Summer Solstice is just one week away. I'd love to tell you that I'm celebrating it this year at Stonehenge, but I'm not. That's a lovely dream that I hope someday will come true. This year I will be celebrating with a group of women in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Would you care to join me?
This is the fourth Solstice celebration I have led on the grounds of the Dominican Center, a spirituality center with an ecumenical focus. If you are in the area on Saturday, June 20, I invite you to meet me there, along with kindred women who desire to attend to the Light within themselves. I know that Solstice doesn't officially begin until midnight of the 20th, so we will actually be ushering in the light. (The details appear at the bottom of this post.)
Ushering in the Light—the Light, with a capital "L"—what a concept! By this, I mean the Light within us, all around us, the stuff of which we are made, that to which we are drawn, that to which we will return.
And ushering in this Light, the Light of which James Thurber wrote—the light of illumination—is a matter of choice.
Do you choose the Light?
Do you orient yourself toward it—consciously— to bring more Joy into your life?
Or do you have a tendency to lean into the shadows and linger there?
I'm eager to hear ....
And, I'm eager to celebrate the Solstice with you—wherever you are!
JOIN ME in welcoming a very special guest on Tuesday:
Brandi Reynolds, the Joy Rebel herself. I've interviewed Brandi about what it means to be a Joy Rebel and who can be one. Can I? Can you? Stay tuned to find out!
And, JOY! Brandi will be offering a gift, one of her beautiful photos—one she has taken solely for the purpose of this event. Make a post on Tuesday and you'll be entered into the drawing. I can hardly wait to see what she's created for us!
Perhaps this is why I love to celebrate Summer Solstice. This longest day of the year (in the western hemisphere) reminds me that the Light is ever-present. In the summer, daylight is evident for nearly 17 hours of the day. In the winter, it can appear for as few as 8 hours. It never really goes away. It simply changes hue and intensity. I only have to reorient myself toward the Light to feel its glow.
Summer Solstice is just one week away. I'd love to tell you that I'm celebrating it this year at Stonehenge, but I'm not. That's a lovely dream that I hope someday will come true. This year I will be celebrating with a group of women in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Would you care to join me?
This is the fourth Solstice celebration I have led on the grounds of the Dominican Center, a spirituality center with an ecumenical focus. If you are in the area on Saturday, June 20, I invite you to meet me there, along with kindred women who desire to attend to the Light within themselves. I know that Solstice doesn't officially begin until midnight of the 20th, so we will actually be ushering in the light. (The details appear at the bottom of this post.)
Ushering in the Light—the Light, with a capital "L"—what a concept! By this, I mean the Light within us, all around us, the stuff of which we are made, that to which we are drawn, that to which we will return.
And ushering in this Light, the Light of which James Thurber wrote—the light of illumination—is a matter of choice.
Do you choose the Light?
Do you orient yourself toward it—consciously— to bring more Joy into your life?
Or do you have a tendency to lean into the shadows and linger there?
I'm eager to hear ....
And, I'm eager to celebrate the Solstice with you—wherever you are!
~~o~~
JOIN ME in welcoming a very special guest on Tuesday:
Brandi Reynolds, the Joy Rebel herself. I've interviewed Brandi about what it means to be a Joy Rebel and who can be one. Can I? Can you? Stay tuned to find out!
And, JOY! Brandi will be offering a gift, one of her beautiful photos—one she has taken solely for the purpose of this event. Make a post on Tuesday and you'll be entered into the drawing. I can hardly wait to see what she's created for us!
~~0~~
Note: Wear appropriate clothing for being outdoors, weather permitting. Bring a mat/blanket to sit on, a journal to write in.
Saturday, June 20
7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $15.00
Register by calling Dominican Center, (616) 454-1241, or visiting their website:
www.dominicancenter. com
Finding My Voice, Singing My Truth:
A Summer Solstice Celebration for Women
What is your unique song in the adagio of life? Your soulful contribution to the world? And how do you express it, or do you hesitate? In a supportive and celebratory circle, we will explore what it means to find our voice and sing our truth. Storytelling, song, prayer forms, creative expression, and reflection time will be integrated to create a special evening under the stars. Musical instruments are welcome.
A Summer Solstice Celebration for Women
What is your unique song in the adagio of life? Your soulful contribution to the world? And how do you express it, or do you hesitate? In a supportive and celebratory circle, we will explore what it means to find our voice and sing our truth. Storytelling, song, prayer forms, creative expression, and reflection time will be integrated to create a special evening under the stars. Musical instruments are welcome.
Note: Wear appropriate clothing for being outdoors, weather permitting. Bring a mat/blanket to sit on, a journal to write in.
Saturday, June 20
7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $15.00
Register by calling Dominican Center, (616) 454-1241, or visiting their website:
www.dominicancenter. com
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12 comments:
In the past I use to allow bad news to sink me into the dark, but today I know better. I'm stronger and closer to God, so I know by choosing Him I choose the Light.
Have a fabulous weekend Jan and I'm glad you liked my joy page!
I wish I was closer - it sounds wonderul!!
I think genrerally I turn towards the light by nature. My other half tends to turn the other way. We are good for each other this way. When I am too generous with my spirit he pulls me back, when he lingers in the shadow or all out runs for them, I pull him back to center. Wonderful post!Namaste, Sarah
To the light. But I have a bit of a conflict, because though I enjoy the light, I'm not one for summer heat, and so prefer the cooler light of autumn and yes, winter. I find the light of those seasons leading us inside, to the home, and very comforting.
Oh how I wish I could join you in Michigan! I love the light! Today was a really bizarre day and I caught myself in the nick of time... I could have easily sunk into the dark...but I made a decision "to deal with it." I changed my attitude and within minutes was calm. So when you used the work "reorient" that is what I did. WOW...I think I am beginning to grow up...lol.
Fabulous post. It opened my heart, more. And I too wish i was closer!
i would LOVE to join the summer solstice event with you, it sounds like a wonderful experience
alas, i live on the other side of the planet and will be celebrating winter solstice :)
I seek the light on a minute to minute basis, it is never far and
it is my life's practice :-).
Jan,
Thank you for reminding us that Light is all around and inside of us. You are so right though, it is our choice to recognize and to bask in this light.
I've had a struggle succombing to worry and fear lately, and many of your practices have directed me toward the Light--spending time in quiet, loving kindness towards myself and others, I even had a cup of coffee by a lake just like you would!
Thank you for your gentle reminders!
"Keeping Thee in the Light"--Monica
Ah the Light! Always there inside the soul waiting to be released. From a glimmer of Hope to a beautiful Rainbow, there is Light. When shadows of life come just remember what lies above them… the Light. Light casts out shadows/darkness illuminating a host of possibilities and wonders. Change negativity (anger, despair, etc..), into Hope, Love, Joy, laughter, contentment…we just change our perspective; turn the switch; turn on the Light and illuminate the heart and soul. We can change how we look at things by Seeing with Light. Thank you for reminding me to turn on/ turn to the Light, enlighten my heart and soul and watch the shadows fade away. Thank you for this journy to Joy! Love and Light, Nina P
Tabitha,
I am so glad to hear that you are able to attune yourself to higher emotions and the energy of the Divine. So important in our most challenging world!
Sarah,
It sounds like you and your partner have a lovely yin/yang partership. How grand when we can bolster one another in this way. :-)
Joanne,
As much as I love the light too, Joanne, I am not one for harsh heat. I appreciate how you notice that those months, in particular, turn you "homeward." That seems to say that you may be quite adept at flowing with the seasons of your soul...
Caroline,
Well, good for you! And the more we can do what you did—reorient ourselves to the Light—the more equanimity and peace is ours...
Molly,
Thank you! And I peeked at your blog (will return!) and just loved it. I appreciate your presence here. Blessings!
Kel,
I was actually thinking of you as I wrote this post, knowing you are in the season of winter right now. I wonder...how do YOU celebrate the winter solstice?
I won't be able to attend, however it sounds like a wonderful event full of amazing possibilities.
I think I spend more of my time in the Light, however, there are definitely days when it has a bluer cast. Those are days that I choose to go within and be kind to myself. I know it will eventually pass.
Annie,
I am so happy to hear about your consistent (and that is the key!) orientation toward the Light of you, of all of us. Blessings!
Anonymous,
So good to hear that you are sensing what to do to redirect your worry and fear. Even simple spiritual practices, like the one you describe, faithfully done, can turn the tide and help us respond to the world in new ways. Keep up the great work!
Nina,
I love your thought: "When shadows of life come just remember what lies above them… the Light." It really is true. Believing this, however, does require faithfulness and trust that where we are for now is exactly the right place to be. Even if it feels dark, that is an alright place because it may provide awareness of how we might consider reorienting ourselves...and their might be untold lessons to learn. The Light does prevail... Wonderful thoughts, thank you!
Carolynn,
Yes, wish you could be here too! You express something so important here. Sometimes days ARE bluer, and it not about disowning those. If we recognize those for what they are--and as you say, be kind to ourselves--it is amazing how the entire scenario can shift. Why? Because we stop clinging and being attached to "Oh, this is so awful!" Ease does bring grace...
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