Lightness of Being You

It’s Thanksgiving, a time to naturally focus on the joy of gratitude, and reflect on the incredible power it brings! I could just as easily call it “LIGHT-Giving, as it is a time of year made especially for giving thanks, love, and gratitude¾all light-making and light-giving acts! Maybe it’s the wonder of the changing seasons, the warm golden and vibrant red and orange hues, the crisp autumn air or the smell of fireplaces, charged up for the first time. It’s also the anticipation of spending time with family and friends¾and all the good food of the Holiday! I feel lighter when I just think of them and how special they are.  If we take a moment to pause and remember the joy of gratitude we will realize that just recognizing it helps us to see what abundance we have.

 How do I do that, you ask?

 It’s very easy! Simply make time to notice the small signs of abundance that the universe is just begging you to see: a compliment from a stranger, clear skies, perfect for hiking, and “sweater weather” on your day off, a stash of cash found in the winter coat you haven’t worn since February, – go treat YOURSELF to something indulgent and special with the found loot! Abundance is all around us and when we notice it and acknowledge it and give thanks for it, the universe rewards us with more! Try it!

 What Are You Grateful For? My friend has a t-shirt with that question emblazoned across the chest (the logo of a great vegan eatery in the SF area, Café Gratitude! What a lovely name!) Whenever she wears that shirt, strangers stop her to answer the question and beautiful conversation results: that’s abundance!  She recently posted that question on her FB page and one comment was particularly joyous: “you, for posting the question!” You can imagine how warm and happy and light that comment made my friend feel. This Thanksgiving, when the family gathers around the big table, take a few moments before you dig into the meal. Choose a person to lead off and one by one, tell the person to your left what about him or her you are grateful for. And then, together, breathe in the day, a day of Thanks-Living, Light-giving and notice the abundance with which you have been blessed: a feast on the table, the company of loved ones and the time to celebrate. Let that moment of deep gratitude comfort and lift you. Indulge in the gratitude, along with the pumpkin pie! You will feel filled with the lightness that comes from the joy of the Holiday.

 Happy Thanksgiving to all! 

What are you grateful for? Id love to know.

How often are we plunged into darkness by events, people, and circumstances?  Think about a time lately when this happened to you. It is easy to stay in the dark and grope around, not even trying to find the switch. One of the things that Lightness has done for me and others is that we are able to turn on the switch at will. And you ask, “How could that be possible?”

It is elegantly simple. Take the time to learn and become aware of what lightness is for you. When are those moments that you are fully alive and energetic and just bubbling over with optimism? Take about 15 minutes, close your eyes and think about those moments, savor them and re-experience them physically and emotionally.  Commit the feelings to memory. Now find a way to summon those feelings at will. What works for many is to create a mantra that brings the feeling to mind.

Practice summoning up the lightness experience at least once a day for a week. Not only will the practice give you ownership of the feeling, it will be pleasurable every time you do it. Once it is there let yourself bask in the feeling and banish the dark.  You have the power!

One friend reflects on a special time right after graduating from college. She and two close friends went on vacation to Florida. She joyfully recalls sitting on the beach, drinking a Margarita, watching the ebb and flow of the tide and feeling completely contented, happy, and carefree. That was about twenty years, 4 children, and 2 careers ago. When life gets in the way and she feels some turbulence heading her way, she says the magic words that have become her Lightness mantra: Margarita Beach. These words turn on the light for her. My friend has made this a habit and it works for her.

Turn on your light today.

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A few minutes ago, I walked out in the garden and saw the most beautiful irises blowing in the breeze. They are a lovely shade of lavender and are completely open. Just two weeks ago, they were tight little buds and there was only a hint of the beauty that was within. Now, they are open and showing their beauty to anyone who passes by.

Are you an iris – ready to blossom when the time is right?

Recently I had lunch with a friend who had lost her job. This loss had shaken her foundation to the core. If ever a bud was afraid to blossom, it was my friend. Exposing herself to rejection was holding her back and chipping away at her confidence.

As we talked, my friend confided what was really holding her back. She truly did not want to return to the same line of work. But, she felt compelled to job search in that same field because that’s what she knew and what she had a lot of impressive experience in! This belief that she should stay in it, blocked out all other possibilities for her.

By the third cup of coffee, she decided to let go of the belief that she must find a job in the same field. More importantly, she embraced the idea of listening to her heart and seeing what showed up. Ideas began to surface around her great passions for music and for helping others.

Letting go started her on the way to blossoming. With an open heart and an open mind, she has begun to see opportunities. She is considering many options for her future, a lighter and brighter future and one that releases the unique beauty and magic she possesses.

When you are feeling stuck, ask yourself “What do I need to let go of?” Then you will be ready to listen to your heart and know when it sings. Take the time you need to listen and learn!

I just came in the house (after doing a bit of shoveling) and put on the coffee to have a mug and savor the beauty of our first amazing snowfall.

It is so breathtakingly beautiful…like a lovely blanket, soft and fluffy. Here is the amazing part. As I stood there with shovel in hand (lots of breaks are called for to watch and wonder), the most pleasant thoughts came to me, childlike and playful thoughts. Just picturing and feeling how it would to make snow angels brought a smile and laughter to my whole being. I could actually feel the surge of joy that comes from letting go and playing.

Here is the best part…I didn’t actually have to lie down in the snow, I was able to feel the delight of playing in the snow. All day long, I can savor it.

All of us have so many memories of childhood pleasures and pictures of children playing in the snow that we can easily use these images and memories to bring joy into our hearts and get in touch with our playful side. Don’t let these moments escape from…you, grab them and enjoy!

Take action!

When life gets in the way, stop and enjoy a pleasurable moment. Summon these moments from great memories or in anticipation of joyful times to come. Take a moment right now and write down a few moments that you can call upon when needed.

- Ann Ernst