This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.
— Gospel children’s song written by Harry Dixon Loes
This morning as I opened the curtains I was taken aback by the colour of the rhododendron flowers that greeted me. They shone so brightly that I had to take notice of them. It was as if I was seeing this beautiful pinky red flowering plant that grows outside our dining room window for the first time. This rhododendron has been there the whole time we have lived in this house but this morning I couldn’t ignore it even though I was looking at it through the sheer curtains and the fogged up windows.
I started to think about us as individuals and how we tend to hide our light and not let it shine. Why do we do this? Is it self-protection (from what or who I wonder)? Is it because of fear – are we scared of what might happen if we release the passion within? Is it because we are not aware of what we’re capable of and therefore don’t know how to access it? Why do so many of us hold back?
Let’s do something about this. How about if we all go out there and be amazing – stop hiding and let’s start shining. I know I want to. There are so many things I want to do and achieve – so many things … I want to write. I want to photograph. I want to create and produce things. I want to work with others to help them share their stories. I want to excel at my job. I want to do further study … the list goes on and on. There is a fire burning inside (it is so much more than a light – it is years of smouldering) and the time has come to stop stifling that energy and using it productively to make my dreams come true.
As Nelson Mandela says: “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same”. He certainly let his light shine.
It is never too late to give this a go. So let’s go out there and be the best we can be. Let’s find our passion and let it radiate from our being like a blinding light. Are you up for it? It is better to have given it a go rather than saying, “I wish I had …”
Check out the new Telecom advertisement for a little inspiration. I saw this on TV tonight – talk about synchronicity.
Manifesto
13. Every day be better than you were the day before.
25. Every day your light shines for others to see.
38. Every day be brave and give things a go. Use fear to trigger you into action.
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