I remember reading a novel called Glittering Images many years ago. One line has stayed with me every since. The story of a monk who battles with his love for a woman with his love for God is counselled by a wiser monk. After many months of soul searching, the younger man thanks his mentor who replies, "I was only shining a light in the dark parts of your soul, so you could see the light yourself."
I love that line! What I would love to do is to help you shine your own light on the dark thoughts of your brain!
As a little girl i was always scared of the dark - I used to think there were 'bogey men' under my bed! As I look back on that time - how interesting it is that as soon as the light went on - my fear went away! I guess my amygdala was taking over when I was little because it thought I was in danger! And as soon as my fearful imagination went out when the lights came on, I was again safe and could think!
What fears are ruling your life? Look at all the behaviors you have. Are any of them in the categories of defensive, irritible, moody, angry, frustrated, impatient, depressed, belittling, cynical, impatient, driven? Are you a workaholic? A procrastinator? Someone who never finishes anything? Or never starts anything! What are the behaviors that are holding you back? Examine them and search for the fear that underlies them - and 'with the lights on' look at them again!
I bet you will find that the fears which appear real and rational in the dark, can be seen for what they really are in the light - shadows! Reminds me of that story about being scared of shadows in a dark room only to find when the lights went on, the shadows were furniture! Enjoy switching on lights all over your habits!
QUESTION/DISCUSSION: Share with us some times when you have turned the lights on your fears - and seen they were not so scary after all.
