“Darkest before the dawn”

Sometimes all we need to do is look up, dance and shine. 

A reminder to self, and anyone in need:  we can light up the world - within and without.

Countless people are facing unprecedented change and consequent challenges. It is easy to lose hope when all we see is darkness, but as a dear sister in this community reminded me, darkness often precedes the light. Often, the light is just beneath the surface, making its way through in scintillating effervescence.  We can sometimes inadvertently thwart the emergence of light, when we cling to grief and fear too long. 

My late father used to say that feelings of sadness, despair and fear should stay in our bodies for mere seconds, before we release them. I am finding this challenging, so I’ll start with intentionally igniting my inner light. 

Tonight, I looked up and danced, in silent celebration of the synchronous, mysterious journey that is life (and respectfully, death).

If unprecedented times call for extraordinary responses, I will choose to shine - even through the pain.   

This is after all, since time immemorial, the way of the woman.