I have been watching a Lifetime Television movie this morning and the main character in it reminds me of you so much. Bubbly, happy, everyone’s friend. You are an awesome role model for others. A lot of people could use your magic.
This is a message I received in the last couple days from someone who worked in the same office space as I did. I saw her at least 3 times per week, usually more. I do not share this to brag, but to honor that this is a strong indicator that I did live into my word of the year.
To honor the hard work I put in to keep this word top of mind and really embody it. As you know, it’s not easy to show up radiant in a dark and divisive world.
I also want you to know that I wasn’t radiant every moment of everyday. I have good days and bad days just like anyone else. I did not fake radiance.
I didn’t always have a beaming smile, maybe just a slight one. I didn’t always stop to talk, but always said good morning. I was mindful of the energy I brought into the room and worked to ensure it was at least neutral if I couldn’t muster positive.
Not just for me, or how I want to be perceived, but also for others. Mindful that every moment of everyday I have the choice to bring darkness or radiance into the world. Although we don’t like to admit it and resist taking responsibility for it, this comment from my building mate clearly shows that we impact the world around us with our presence.
This is the affirmation card I kept coming back to over and over. I completely resisted it when I first received it…which I always know is a sign that it has something to teach me. After practicing for a year, I better understand the lesson and the truth:
I trust the process of life. I am now willing to release the need for any negative situations or conditions. -Louise Hay
Radiance taught me that being radiant made me a better human and better leader. I can handle difficult days and challenging situations differently. It challenged me to take ownership of my feelings and my energy, and to learn to process them so that I am not carrying or burying them, but moving through them and releasing them so they are not hanging like a dark cloud over my head.
Radiant taught me that being radiant is a choice. Even on the hardest days, there are good people and good things I can choose to focus on while I honor what I’m walking through.
Radiant retaught me being radiant requires rest. I need healthy rhythms of rest and work, focus and play, giving and receiving, so that I am in a grounded and centered head and heart space.
Radiant retaught me that being radiant means being mindful of who I spend time with. The energy of others affects me, and I need to be aware of who fills me up and who drains me.
Radiant retaught me that being radiant isn’t something I do on my own. I must allow time for connection with others, connection with my own heart, and connection with the Bible and teachings of Jesus. God with us and God in us…filled me up each day and made me radiant especially on those days I certainly didn’t feel it.
I pray that radiant is now part of who I am, and that you might allow radiant to teach you. The world needs more light…your light.
Psalm 34:5: Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
2 Corinthians 3:18: And all of us, with unveiled faces, reflecting like bright mirrors the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same likeness, from one degree of radiant holiness to another, even as derived from the Lord the Spirit.
Psalm 19:8: The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad; the command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up.
Matthew 5:14-16: You are the light of the world… Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Grit, Gratitude, and Grace 