Lightening Our Lives

Dear Reader:

Over the years… haven’t we all agreed that lightening and clearing out excessive junk, we have accumulated over time, produces such a freeing feeling … we are out of the jail we built around us with too much of too much excess- books, furniture, toys, tools, clothing, shoes, etc.

We have talked about the power of simplicity and simplifying our lives, yet if we are honest, haven’t we all fallen back on old habits of accumulating more of everything without letting go of anything or at least not enough something’s… and find ourselves right back in the same predicament repeatedly?

I have come to the conclusion that perhaps we first have to lighten our own ” lives”-feelings and emotions before lightening our material lives.

Scientists tell us that in the physical world… light exists as a reflection. What we see is the electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths. This illumination or giving off of light is what allows us to see one another and the world around us. In order to be seen or see, we move out of darkness into light.

In the non-physical or spiritual realm -light is a state of being, of awareness. Physically we reflect light. Spiritually we are light. The bridge between the two realms is our consciousness-how we think and what we believe. It is where we make choices and take action.

One story I came across (while reading various articles) told of a dream wherein the author ( Judith Johnson) and her mother found themselves in a huge domed room … filled with windows of all sizes and shapes-each with its own customized window shade. The mother asked what they should do and the daughter automatically responded by replying ” Open as many shades as we can to get as much light shining in here as possible.”

We all have a different tolerance and desire for light-both physically and spiritually. We should all stop at intervals along our life’s journey to re-examine how much light we are willing to shed on our personal journey.. and how this will affect the final outcome.

If we feel too heavily laden … we need to shine some light on the choices we make and those we avoid. What negative repetitive thoughts and feelings need a different more positive perspective to yield better results… to lighten our lives.

So until tomorrow… Our beloved Mama Mia, Jackson’s mother who we all adored… told Jackson one time that every morning before she raised her window shade to see what kind of day existed outside the window… she had already made up her mind as to what she would like to see… and no matter what the shade revealed Mama Mia already knew what the day would bring her… her light would shine regardless.

Today is my favorite day-Winnie the Pooh

Well… the darkness is physically taking over the skies outside this late afternoon-thunder is rumbling in the distance… but I am loving it… the perfect atmosphere for my murder mystery novel I am reading… I have a flashlight ready if the current goes off.. fun! Fun! Fun!

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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2 Responses to Lightening Our Lives

  1. Rachel Edwards says:

    Often think of songs when I read your blog…today “This little light of mine …I’m gonna let it shine” came to mind…

  2. Henryk says:

    Let there be light.
    https://player

    have a nice weekend.

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