An Experiment: Look for the Light
Look for the light
Even when it's hard
"We can approach our lives like an experiment. In the next moment, in the next hour, we could choose to stop, to slow down, to be still for a few seconds. We could experiment with interrupting the usual chain reaction."
- Pema Chodron, Author and Buddhist Teacher
Are you as ready as I am to turn toward a new season (and the sun!)?
This is a tough time to be a Midwesterner. (I'm looking for sympathy here from my friends in the south and southwest.) Rain, snow, grey skies, teeny glimpses of sunshine, freezing temps, warm temps ... all in the same day! 😁
It's a tough time to be someone who cares about what is happening in the world -- and who also cares about your work, getting kids to sports, trying to move your body, and just be a human.
Sometimes, it feels like being in a giant washing machine. We get glimpses of the light, a moment to breathe, but suddenly sucked back down and underwater. Our inboxes, our social media, our friends and family can all be places where we encounter darkness or light.
Look for the light.
For the last week or so, I've experimented with intentionally looking for the light. I needed to interrupt my current chain reaction and see its presence and the hope that the light brings.
The light has shown up for me in these ways:
Clients who are using their roles in their companies to make an impact beyond themselves or their teams for the good of others
My cat napping in the actual sunlight streaming in the patio door
Seeing the confidence of a new leader who thoughtfully planned a team offsite with spectacular results
My favorite candle from my friend, Judy, glowing in the early morning while I journal
People using their voices to advocate for others
Quick texts from my neighbor to walk while we have five minutes of sunshine
Look for the light.
"Our goal should be more dramatic than just doing good work. We can walk through darkness and spread light."
- Emile Bruneau, Psychologist
Now, I'm looking for the light. And, I'm seeing it more and more.
(Have you ever experienced a "frequency illusion"? An example of that phenomenon is when you start looking for a new vehicle, suddenly you see that vehicle everywhere...it's so real, right?)
Now that I'm seeing it everywhere, I'm focusing on how I can BE the light.
Here are some ways I'm working to BE the light:
Sending affirming emails to people I work with regularly to remind them why I love working with them
Giving recommendations on LinkedIn (especially to entrepreneurs and biz owners!)
Baking an extra loaf of banana bread for my neighbor
Sharing more funny memes and videos with my friends
Taking care of my own mental and physical health!
I'm curious, where are you seeing the light? How could you be the light for someone else?
Here's to sunshine and light today! Remember, you've got this!
