We all have some light to shine; let it glow

In December, it’s a long wait for the sun to rise at 7:30, but what a difference it makes when the light appears. The daylight instantly lifts my mood.

If I’m out somewhere and it begins to get dark – ugh! Sunset at 4:30 – I just want to be home. It’s no fun driving when all you can see is a short section of road, headlights from other vehicles and a few streetlights. 

The shorter, shadowy days also make me less energetic, struggling to push myself to be productive.

The Winter Solstice, the day of the year with the least amount of daylight, occurs in December. It makes sense that the celebrations of Hanukkah/The Festival of Lights, Christmas, Yule, Bodhi Day and Kwanzaa all occur in December, when we most need the energy boost of light. It’s good that we light our houses, menorahs, Christmas trees, yule logs and kinaras. It’s good that we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the light of the world. It’s good that we bring in the new year with sparkles and music and good cheer.

After the December holiday season ends, though, we still have about three months left of short winter days, so we need to continually be on the lookout for extra sources of light.

Perry Como used to sing “Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, save it for a rainy day … never let it fade away.” If we can save some holiday spirit for the rainy, snowy, overcast days in winter, it may just provide the emotional boost we need to help light a dark day. So, go to your holiday gatherings with very deep pockets and fill them with joyful moments. Hold them close and care for them like precious jewels.

The adjective light refers to lack of weight, and the noun light refers to the brightness that allows things to be seen-with our eyes and our intuition. Letting more light into our lives involves both lightening our burdens and brightening our days. 

After the holiday celebrations are over, look for light everywhere. Do things that make you feel good. Release yourself from guilt and regrets. Go outside every chance you get to experience sunlight or a blanket of fresh, bright snow. Catch the light reflected off someone’s smile and return it. Lighten your mood by sharing laughter. Light candles and bask in the glow. Listen to music that lifts your spirit. Read poetry that sparks inspiration.

If we focus on ways to embrace and enjoy the winter season, our personal reserve of light will be there for us when we need it and will also overflow onto others who need it just as much as we do.

Now ponder this: “Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life its deepest significance.”
— Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart