A Joyous Perspective on Being the Right Kind of Light: Shine Appropriately.

It’s Friday, and time for another Friday Night Thought Tale Hour with the Hendersons. You might have noticed this week that I have been preoccupied with the subject of ‘light.' The light of my focus is that which we have within us, so it’s more figurative than literal. I know some of you might feel I’m getting a little pious, but you can’t deny that you’ve seen or felt light coming off of people. And I think that as you read tonight’s thought tale, you’ll have to admit you give off all sorts of different lights, depending on the mood and circumstance. I would even challenge you that you might even find yourself holding back on your shine, especially when you feel covered in sadness, depression or some other darker state of emotion. As I looked at my ways of expressing like, I found I have four different methods. I thought I would share them with you along with their pro’s and con’s so you can consider if you find a joyous perspective on your shine.

My first and most natural method of shining is the blinding floodlight

I’m what you might call a ‘bubbly’ personality. Smiling and laughing come quickly for me, so much so that I do them even when they are inappropriate or unaligned with my actual feeling.

In other words, they might be more a product of tension, nervousness or being uncomfortable. Do you ever walk into a meeting or a conversation and it’s just so quiet and dark you think you will suffocate? When I am in these states, I turn on my flood light, and I can almost see the whinces of some in the room. I admit it can really catch people off guard and send those of the more timid nature running for cover. I’ve learned I need to control the floodlight and put a dimmer switch on it. I need to take responsibility and recognize my feelings of discomfort and find less intrusive ways to ease them. It’s actually a very selfish way to draw attention to myself, which is not a positive function of light.
Note to self: Floodlights are rarely helpful to anyone by the people operating them.

The second method of shine is the bolt of lightning

Since moving to the Midwest, I have a whole different view of lightning. It always has sort of terrified me with its lack of prediction and overwhelming ability to destroy, but I now also see

it as a forewarning of something even more terrible to come. Like the possibility of a tornado or other destructive storm activity. When considering my ways of shining light, I realized my passion can resemble lightning in many respects. It is definitely a burst of power, and while unpredictable to those who see it, I can direct it with precision. Anger and other strong emotions are like that, aren’t they? While there may be signs they are coming, the receiver most likely has no idea the level of intensity behind them. We can’t alway control our bursts of lightning, but we can consider where and when we emit them. This kind of light shine usually leaves us with very little light to do anything else with. It takes awhile to recharge after we let it go. While I would never want to diminish the value of passion and how we can inspire others through it, it is best used cautiously. After all, you don’t want to inadvertently burn anything to a crisp in the process.
Note to self: Lightning can be dangerous and can leave destruction in its path.

The third kind of shine is the trusty Flashlight.

The flashlight is less obtrusive than that flood light and much more directional. I turn on my flashlight shine when someone comes to me who is completely in the dark, lost and helpless. A flashlight is used when the common resources of light we depend upon have gone away for some reason, and we need to see what’s out there. Sometimes, I can be an enormous and vigorous flashlight, one that can even be used as a weapon if needed. Other times, I’m just a

little pocket flashlight and gives off just enough light to avoid tripping. Both of these scenarios are valuable at times, and being a flashlight sure makes you feel good about yourself. There are two problems with this kind shine that I’ve learned. For one thing, they require batteries to operate, and batteries go dead or need recharging. You might be asked to be a flashlight during one of these non-charged times, and you never know if this might happen. Also, the person needing the flashlight will expect they always need you or they will lose their way. 
Note to self: Flashlights are great, but they should be seen as a temporary fix. 

Number four is the best kind of shine: The Candle.

Yes, they can get blown out. Yes, they must be held steadily. Yes, they require something to light them first - but of all the ways to shine, they offer a multitude of benefits. The quiet and gentle candle just sits there flickering, emitting a comfortable and warming light. It doesn’t blind you, even when you look straight at

it, and will only burn you if you try to grasp it. When I allow myself to shine like a candle, I can not only provide light to those who need it but give them a way to be lit up themselves. I am a predictable light source, not a frightening one. 
And when I walk away, they can now keep with them the light I have given them in their own inner peaceful smile of shine. Being a candle allows us to use our shine to warm ourselves too, not just others. 

Note to self: The candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.


So tonight, I’ve made a signature cocktail I’m calling, “Shine On.” It will certainly leave you with a glow and remind you to keep your inner candle safe. Remember that it’s the light within you that guides you in times of darkness, and set the shadows to stand behind you. Cheers, Friends.

Joy's Shine On Cocktail***

1oz of Limoncello
1oz of White Lightning
1oz of Lillet
1oz of Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
Star Fruit for garnish

Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with crushed ice. Shake hard and strain into a glass. Garnish with Star Fruit.

***Always drink responsibly.