Lessons

“Be a light in the darkness. We all fall over sometimes. Share your gifts. Bring joy to those around you. You were born to sparkle, even when you feel like your glitter’s gone. It’s perfectly fine to be a little tilted.” Multiple Contributors

Happy Monday!

I hope you’re prioritizing self-care! Even during this hectic season, it’s essential to be a little extra sensitive to our many emotional pendulum swings. We all need to take time to refresh so we can enjoy the festivities in the coming weeks. 

After we get some rest, it’s nice to enjoy the company of friends, family, and new acquaintances. Sometimes, enjoying new contacts is a great way to revive passion or utilize our gifts and talents in new ways. If you’re planning a gathering, think about having your friends invite guests who might appreciate experiencing the holidays with new people or circumstances.

It doesn’t have to be anything special. It can be a time to enjoy a cup of something warm, sample some holiday treats, and indulge in light conversation. It doesn’t have to be lengthy, either. Maybe a quick coffee catch-up or a light breakfast or lunch.

Sometimes, we can go deeper, like having a tough conversation with someone we’re mentoring or spending dedicated time praying and meditating. When we rest, we have more to give from our storehouse of resources. The most important thing to remember is to be ourselves in our most warm and welcoming ways.

I’ve seen the following quote in social media on several occasions in the past week and think it embodies my thoughts on showing up well:

I especially appreciate the last part. It speaks of giving, even when we’re not 100%. This is fine because sometimes our 80% is so much more than another person can muster. My favorite part is being a little tilted. I don’t know about you, but being a little tilted is a great place to gain understanding and model that it’s okay to be a bit different.

Scripture talks about being salt and light in a world of darkness in Matthew 5:13-16. My favorite translation is from The Message:

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand.

“Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

It’s incredible that we can share joy with others who might be feeling the pressures of daily life. And the really cool thing is that when we’re feeling down, offering hope to another multiplies our joy. This causes a rippling effect, as they, in turn, can share that same feeling with others.

This is true for almost every aspect of wellbeing. Sharing our sparkle can help with physical challenges and mental and emotional upheaval and will strengthen our spiritual grounding because we thrive on knowing someone gets us.

So, here’s a mental health checklist someone posted on social media:

• Be patient with yourself; growth takes time.
• Comparison is the thief of joy. Focus on your own journey.
• It’s okay not to be okay. Allow yourself to feel your emotions.
• Practice self-care; it’s not selfish; it’s essential.
• Spend time in nature; it’s a natural mood booster.
• Remember that you’re stronger than you think.

Let’s apply these principles to ourselves so we’re positioned to be salt and light to others this holiday season. It’s a great way to increase holiday cheer within, so our outreach will be rich and fruitful. And remember, it’s perfectly fine to be a little tilted ~ we’ll still sparkle!

Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda