It is Wednesday, TSJ Peeps!
I have a question for you this day. Are you Light in a basement? I had an experience this week that got me to thinking. But first . . .
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Welcome to new readers and wishes for you to find something here to brighten your day and help put a smile on your face.
Good ol’ Solomon and SJ are so happy it is Wednesday. SJ has been sitting on a chair in my bedroom and Solomon . .. well… Solomon has been sitting on his stool in my office (in the basement or lower level).
They are happily reunited now as you can see in the picture. Solomon knows he is my personal light in the basement but we all are enjoying the sunlight in the kitchen!
Speaking of basements, my image is they are usually dark places often damp, often filled with things from the past tucked away, and a hide out for creatures like spiders, bugs and mice.
Most of us make sure we have a light handy when we descend to a basement. Solomon says we each have an inner light to help us with the darker places in life…like basements. I think he is referring to the lower levels of our minds.
Each Wednesday we “show up” here to encourage and shine the light for each other. And speaking of “showing up” so many of you keep showing up in my email with your own stories and your wonderful support. Thank you one and all. And just authentically and kindly showing up sometimes provides the light we or others need in their darker moments, as you will see in today’s story
And as you know, my fuzzy partners here at TSJ and I are are definitely in a state of flux. But life itself is like that so I invite you to join me from whatever angle of flux you may be in and experience all the love that is around. It helps. We have been practicing the art of acceptance and thankfulness a lot here and it often brightens our days.
We all seem to like sunlight and few of us like crawling around in the dark! Lately I have been thinking about that. I crave sunlight.
This awareness led me to ask myself what else I crave. I have a zillion wants but I am thinking about what I crave or long for. Here is my current list of cravings: God, love, nature, light and . . . yes, chocolate. I almost always have a stash of chocolate somewhere. You should watch me look for it when the stash is gone1 Of course, you who follow my journey know that I think all the time about Tom. I notice when I am sad I often I misuse chocolate to fill a void. And I forget that of that list . . . chocolate , , , is the only one that makes me heavier! The other yearnings (when satisfied) lighten the heart and soul.
News Flash! I have a buyer for this home if all goes well. So far so good!
So one of the many things on my to -do list is finding a place to rent for three months near where I can keep an eye on the building of my new small house. No worries. I have several options. But I checked out a furnished apartment that does not require a lease etc. and is designed for transient people like me.
Here is what I learned simply by going to a new place to live for awhile (and this can also be a metaphor for new places spiritually):
* Have a map or a GPS handy
* Pay attention! I immediately parked in front of the wrong building. But there were signs. Good ones. I just had to look for them.
* Be curious but keep your bearings lest you get lost.
* Be open to receive new information and help
* Notice your thoughts and feelings
* Then observe how thoughts, fears, and feelings can change very quickly . . . when the light is turned on. (Like in a basement…the shadows can look ominous until you shed light on them).
Rental Office…
The rental office was in the last building on the lowest level of all. In the basement. The invitation on the office door said to “Open and come on in.” I did and was warmly greeted. I sat and told my story about what I needed. Meanwhile I noticed Ms. Manager works in a basement with no windows at all in her office. (I need to see outside! ) Further, she works alone.
But within two minutes I forgot anything negative.
She was truly light in a basement. The office suddenly felt warm, friendly, and inviting. Lamps made it cozy. Her spirit made it welcoming. Her genuine interest in people shone brightly. The light switch in my heart was turned on and shadows disappeared for a time.
As the Light in the basement, she brightened my day.
Solomon wants us to remember to let our lights shine too so others can realize Light can be found in the last building on the lowest level of all. In the least likely places.
Tears were welcomed and shared there and laughter filled the air. I came away better for the encounter.
Such is the shared journey.
Remember! .Your inner light shines in dark places too – so just show up. Be your genuine self. You never know. Small things we say and do make a big difference in each other’s lives!
Happy shepherding wherever you are.
