Bring on the light
The past few months have necessitated an early winter hibernation of sorts precipitated by an experience of shingles, a bout of appendicitis, and upwelling of grief I didn't see coming. Over time I've learned that when the waves come, there is not much else to do but surf and go inward and find the stillness. Many of us are deeply uncomfortable with messiness, emotional or otherwise. The inclination is to find the silver lining, look for the rainbow, fix whatever appears to be broken, and tidy things up as quickly as possible. During a particularly intense wave of grief, I heard the words "sometimes you just have to sit in the rain."
Life is quiet chaotic and messy for many of us right now. I can't think of anyone who isn't experiencing some variety of storm or upheaval in their life. And while it may seem that the we need to offer solutions or attempts to find the rainbows, the greatest gift of support we can offer is to allow space to just sit in the rain. To allow the storm to come, the winds to blow, and the rain to wash away whatever needs to be seen and released. There are often rainbows after a storm, but not always. Sometimes there is just the storm and it's scary and turbulent and the aftermath messy. What does always follow the darkness of the storm, is the return of the LIGHT.
Today we have the arrival of the Winter Solstice, followed by the Full Moon tomorrow, both are bringing the LIGHT. In these final days of 2018, I invite you to sit with whatever feels messy and unresolved in your heart, your life, the world. I love the quote from Brene Brown, "The magic is in the mess," because it truly is. Within the mess, resides the light of clarity, your truth, your courage, your next best steps. Allow the Full Moon and the light you carry to illuminate the magic within the mess. It's there. It's likely not in the form you might expect. It's most likely YOU. Your willingness to keep going is MAGIC. Your hopes, desires, dreams - they are the MAGIC.
Leave space for the mess, things are always messy when we are changing things up, breaking old patterns, healing our wounds, and discovering the neglected and shadowy corners. Embrace the mess and allow it guide you in to the heart of the magic for the coming New Year. The Winter Solstice is the darkest night of the year and marks the return of the light - may it be so.
May we all find the magic in our messes and support each other along the way. If you are one who is experiencing a period of flow and joy - MAGNIFY it, share it. If you are in the midst of a storm, sit in the rain. Allow the light to return in due time, it always does, and it will illuminate your life and new levels of awareness that will guide your way on. As you seek for ways to support and help those around you, stand in your LIGHT. Hold space with love and compassion for those who are in the midst of an inner or outward storm. Your presence and non-judgement will create an opening for that person to harness their own strength and power. We cannot fix or save one another, but we can offer our presence, our calm and steady heart, our light. Wishing you joy, LIGHT, and strength if it's your moment to sit in the rain.
