It’s happening! It’s happening! A solar eclipse is happening today, at points of visibility all over the world – a crazy phenomenon, considering that many eclipses happen over water or in areas too remote for even science to get in + check it out (fun fact that I learned while scrolling through #AllTheThing about eclipses this morning while procrastinating getting out of bed).

And it got me all jazzed thinking about how this so totally relates to us in everyday life.

In a solar eclipse, the moon is passing in between the sun and Earth, hitting it perfectly spot on so to “eclipse” the sun from our view. As a result, folks from all over errrr’where flock far + wide to get into the “zone” of totality, when the sun is completely covered by the moon – to be able to view the sun with their own eyes. Albeit, it still requires funky glasses to do (make sure ya wear ’em, yo!), but it’s this super cool feeling of being able to conquer the sun by looking square at it in its more vulnerable state.

Enter, today’s Monday Mantra.

“I will be a light.”

“I will shine.”

How often do we go through day-to-day life not even realizing our potential? Half the time, we can’t even comprehend what we’re truly capable of, cos we either a.) haven’t been in a situation where it’s been required of us to test it, or b.) just haven’t gone out on that ledge to make it happen. We don’t necessarily live every day as if it’s our last cos we’re not always in tune to the finite nature of life – we’re human, and we forget that sometimes. We get burnt out + hungry + overwhelmed, and we turn off the real world and turn on Netflix to forget any hardships of our daily life for a hot sec to regroup + hit replay tomorrow.

We’re not always turned on to our own potential.

And therefore, we don’t always shine at our brightest. Or anywhere *close* to our brightest.

Beyond that, we get scared. We get scared of everything that would/could/should happen if we’re operating at 100% in a judgmental, jaded world. You figure that someone somewhere will be offended, hurt, or otherwise bitter about your success + your shine. And you’d rather not shine so bright – or worse, not shine at all – to save face with them and/or prevent any tensions rooted in insecurity and their own self-doubts.

OY. It’s exhausting.

Let’s make it easy:

Give yourself permission to shine your brightest. No matter the circumstance, no matter the company. 

I know, I know…”Shine your light! Never let anyone dull your sparkle!” – they’re used up, cliche phrases that sometimes fail to pack a punch since they’re plastered on every cheesy Hallmark card or boardwalk souvenir.

So here’s how it relates to a solar eclipse + beyond.

The sun shines each + every day, without a doubt (duh, E). It’s going to be there + it’s going to be bright, regardless of what’s happening or who’s watching.

How often do we hold ourselves back, or cower away from our own lights, in fear of how it will be received by others? We worry about being judged or misunderstood, and we let others’ reception + perception of us shift how we present ourselves to the world. The sun is KNOWN for being the brightest, hottest, fiercest ball of badass fire in the sky. I’m sure the cavepeople were a bit taken aback at first – Fire? In the sky? Throw water at it! IT CAN’T BE! – but once they figured out that sun was going to shine regardless of who they were or what they did, they figured they might as well get used to it + use it for good.

Similarly…if people were to know YOU for your best self…dontcha think they could better utilize you for all of YOUR good, too?

“I will be a light.”

The solar eclipse is illustrating a nice lil’ metaphor here, too, for what happens when the seemingly untouchable become somewhat kinda sorta touchable-ish.

Everyone wants a piece of it.

The sun will be in this more vulnerable state, with its light being hidden by the moon. And allllllll of Earth is freaking the freak out, cos this is such a rare thing. Grab yo’ glasses! Grab yo’ telescopes! We’re headed to Wyoming to Eclipse watch! Everyone and their mom is eagerly anticipating the few minutes to behold something so impossible to behold. In those brief moments of total eclipse (of the heart, had to), the brightest beacon of light in our everyday sky (heck, the ONLY beacon of light) is darkened.

• That doesn’t mean it stops shining.
• That doesn’t mean it’s being overcome or “losing” at all.
• That doesn’t mean it lasts.

It is still doin’ it’s thaaaang, being a light + shining regardless of what’s covering it in that one moment in time.

Similarly…sometimes in life, people want to take advantage of your dark spots.

Sometimes, people find joy in feeling more on your level – in thinking you have been lessened somehow, and are therefore in their grasp. Sometimes, people are asshats. And sometimes, they’re very much mistaken. A momentary vulnerability does nothing to lessen your worth. It doesn’t make you flawed, and it doesn’t necessarily mean it was even your doing in the first place. The same way that the sun continues to shine and be a light no matter what’s covering it, so to should we refuse to let societal standards or everyday happenstance diminish our natural lights.

“I will be a light.”

Light only gets brighter by being shared. This is even moreso important to remember in the world today – a world so torn by hatred, judgment, + misunderstanding. We talked about it a bit here, but it’s worth saying again.

We need lights.

We need beacons of light to shine as examples of goodness – of kindness.

We need you.

“I will be a light.”

Today’s your day – this week is YOUR WEEK. Swear to yourself to be a light. To be your own best self, and to shine in what you do + lovelovelove the most. And to be your own best self, sharing that light with other people.

Being a light doesn’t mean you’re shining at others’ expense.

Light only gets brighter by being shared. Another popular gem: “Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened.” The best way to start a fire is to start it yo’self. In your own life, and in the lives of the people around you. From there, if we all continue to be lights – to shine fully + strongly – we can hope to spark a fire unquenchable by any societal eclipses.

We can (+ should) be lights through any darkness. Light is not the absence of dark. Rather, darkness is the absence of light. Light ALWAYS overcomes dark. And just as the sun will bounce right back to shining moments after being seemingly overcome by darkness, so too can you be a source of light + inspiration for anyone + everyone in your path.

Heck, you might even light them up, too.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

How can you be a light this week?

IDK what it is, but I’ve been feeling SO STOKED the past few days. I’m coming off of a pretty unmotivated state of unproductive blah, and now I’m JAZZED for the week ahead.

I’m all for being a light. Are you?

P.S. I’m pretty stoked about this post, + y’all seemed to really resonate with it. Wouldja do me a favor + share it on Facebook with someone who needs to see the message?

P.P.S. If you’re watching the solar eclipse today, WEAR THE GLASSES. Ain’t nobody got time for blindness from staring into a ball of fire. (Remember, even tho it’s covered, it’s still the same light. 😉 )

P.P.P.S. Have a kickass day + week. MK? MK.