The media is always flooded with not-so-great things, but the past few weeks have been particularly heartbreaking. It’s easy to get caught up in everyone’s opinions and reporters overdramatizing everything, but what does that really do? How does that help anything, really?
What if, instead of perpetuating the drama, we offered something else? Something that might seem completely unrelated, but could actually offer a remedy. And that remedy is simpler than you think. Be the light.
As my dear friend Albus Dumbledore said, “Happiness can be found in the darkest of times if one remembers to turn on the light.” And during dark times we have a choice to either keep feeling around in the dark, or turn on the light.
The Summer Solstice is happening on Tuesday, which means it’s the longest day of the year. Daylight will stretch and bring light to the darkest hours of the night. What a wonderful time to counter some of the dark occurrences with a bit of light.
So how to do this? Where to begin? The specific manifestations of it really does depend on the situation. Reading the room, knowing the audience, so to speak. But here are a few things to consider no matter the situation.
Ask ‘What is Needed?’
Say you are at a funeral of a loved one. A family member is trying to manage their children, as well as keeping food on the table. He has his hands full. You, on the other hand, have a moment and know a fun game to keep kids busy, so you offer to watch them for a bit. Or you take over the task he was trying to accomplish.
Looking around and just observing what is needed, be it another helping hand, a simple hug, or an appropriate joke to lighten the mood might be just what the doctor ordered. These humble tasks can bring some much-needed light to any situation.
Use Social Media Wisely
Over the years, I’ve stayed away from talking about the issues on social media. It’s not that I don’t care or have things to say, but social media is NOT the place to really make a difference. At least not in my experience. More often than not, it perpetuates the drama and flat out depresses everyone. It’s like feeding your brain constant negativity.
It’s good to stay in the know and not shield ourselves from what is going on, but most of what I see or people’s responses certainly do not bring light. I would suggest keeping social media and other newsfeeds to a minimum. And if you do post something, be very thoughtful and intentional about it. Ask, will this bring light or add to the drama? And if it adds to the drama, ask yourself if you really want to be a part of that.
Heal Your Own Darkness
I would argue that the darkness we see in the world is a reflection of our own inner darkness. Anger, violence, dominance, and judgment on others are ways people are trying to deal with those emotions within themselves.
Part of my mission with self-care is to chip away at healing those inner wounds. When we heal ourselves, we heal our relationship with the rest of the world. We give what we are.
I would also argue that if you are one that tends to perpetuate the drama, when you work on that inner darkness, the desire for drama will diminish. The negativity that you hold and are even drawn to will transform. You will even be more enlightened on how to spread the light to those that need it the most.
Heal yourself and the rest of the world will follow. This I truly believe.
I’m going to end with another lovely quote, and I hope you take this simplicity to heart. The world NEEDS more light. Our lives NEED to be lighter, with things, with expectations. Consider that as you respond to the world around you and act accordingly.
“Travel light. Live light. Spread the light. Be the light.” Yogi Bhajan
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