I’m going to let it shine
Light bulbs in cartoon strips have long been used as symbols for new ideas or a solution to a problem.
So many times Wile E. Coyote displayed a flashing bulb indicating a solution to getting the better of the Road Runner. Experiencing failure, he never learned it was an idea put into motion before well thought- out plans were considered. Coyote remained in the dark. And down through the ages light has been painted, written about in poetry, expressed in ways that demonstrate “putting light” on a subject, revelation, a new dawn of understanding.
On the other hand, light shining from a simple hand-held flashlight in time of need can be of great service. I don’t know who came up with the idea of putting a battery in a small hand-held devise, but what a great notion it was. And though the word “electricity” doesn’t have the same appeal as the word “light”, I appreciate it when it’s “on”.
A number of years ago, Time magazine carried an article about the failure of an electrical fuse that was about the size of a bread box. I don’t remember all the details but I read it caused 80,000 square miles along the U.S.- Canadian border to be plunged into darkness.
All the electrical power for that entire region passed through that one single fuse. Without it, no power could reach any point in that vast region.
It wasn’t nearly that bad during last winter’s PG&E power outages. I don’t know what made me think of all this, maybe Easter stirred up these thoughts. And I wonder if this is what it’s like when people feel lost or separated from Light, one of the gifts of Life. Those times we find ourselves transformed into an ill-tempered child when rain spoils our parade, a time of darkness/ ignorance.
We don’t always see ourselves as points of light, as President George H.W. Bush called us, shining life’s joy, peace and beauty around us. We may forget for a moment we have a spiritual light within our consciousness. I invite you to close your eyes just a second and imagine your inner lights of Power and Love growing stronger, chafing at the bit to be untethered. Now’s the right time to free them up, maybe consider singing to yourself, “This Little Light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” Come on, take a chance.