I was inspired by last Sunday’s glorious sunshine to explore, with our Equinox Morning tribe, how we can change the world around us by shining our light as brightly as the sun, and in as many ways possible. Here are the five ways I believe we can all shine our light for others, and in so doing make even a little dent in the universe.
TRUTH
Get authentic! Speak your truth and trust your intuition. Acknowledge the gifts you’ve been given to shine – gifts such as, your talent, intellect, skillset and innate qualities that make you who you are. In so doing, we respond to Marianne Williamson’s message “Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. As we let our light shine, we give others permission to do the same”
What gifts can you let shine for others to do the same?
GRATITUDE
The power of gratitude manifests in abundance. Saying thank you honours another – it shows you’ve seen what others may not have. Research has shown that by expressing gratitude, you improve your physical and mental health and boost your general well-being. Try it and see your outlook change and your light shine brighter. Start with the big things and work towards the little things.
What are you grateful for right now?
SERVICE
For centuries, the greatest thinkers have suggested that happiness is found in helping others. Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give”.
Being of service need not be taxing or challenging, it could be offering someone a cup of tea, listening to another when they need to talk (not offering advice), it could be washing the dishes or offering your seat to someone who needs it more than you. The miracle of service is discovering the real beneficiary is you, the one who provides the service.
What are the ways you give service today?
LOVE
Shining our light of love on those we care about or our fellow man, is a powerful way to make a dent in the universe.
There is another way to shine this light and that is on ourselves. To become aware of the language we use on ourselves, would you say that to someone you really loved? To find time to be alone with yourself to check-in and see how you’re doing, to say no when you mean no. There are many ways to practice self-care care, only you know what you need, and if you don’t, then you need it even more.
What self-care practices can you put in place to ensure your constant wellbeing? (in that way, your light will no doubt, shine brighter for others.
And finally… SMILE.
Smiling is contagious, it lifts not only our own mood, it’s the single most powerful quick-fix for someone when they’re feeling down, most especially strangers. A Study undertaken at Purdue University in Indiana revealed that a smile makes people feel connected. That simple acknowledgment of existence by you could make that person’s day a better one.
Smiling is a gift you have to give the world – make as much use of it as you possibly can.
Author: Paula Brown
