“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with
your one wild and precious life.”
– “The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver
Reflection Time Selfie
Each morning, I wake up and ask myself how I will walk through my day. And each and every day, the answer is pretty much the same. I want to be a light with every step I take.
Now this isn’t as easy as it sounds. What does it mean to be a light? And what do I have to do to get there?
The second question is easier to answer, so I will start with that. In order to be a light to anyone I have to be a light to myself. That means before I reach out to the world around me, I have to go inward and care for my body, my mind, and my soul. If I don’t take care of me, how can I be authentic with others?
Writing, listening to the others’ wisdom, moving and eating right are key. On a really good day, I will chant, meditate, or drum. And on a great day, I will do it all! Breathing deeply and living mindfully takes an open heart and a willing spirit.
In fact, most of what I try to do is to live consciously. My entire being craves a conscious life. I want to live with integrity and authenticity. So for the most part, I do that. AND every day I am learning, stretching, and growing. I am working to be the best me I can be.
Only after I navigate inward can I take an excursion outward.
So to answer the first question: What does it mean to be a light?
A ready smile greets nearly every person I meet. I have a drive to touch people’s lives in positive ways. This feeling has emanated so deeply that years ago I even changed my last name to Gal-Or, wave of light.
Life has taught me that some of my best plans and my most amazing intentions need to altered due to reality.
When my older son was a teenager, he was plagued with a life and death journey which took over our family’s entire lives for over three and a half years. This meant that everything in my world changed over night and stayed that way until one day I realized he was thriving again!
Shortly after that episode, I woke up to a joyous pitter-patter in my heart. With an overwhelming realization, I realized that I am alive and ready to serve others again. Hineini! I am here!!
While I wasn’t sure exactly what that meant, I slowly began to realize that the years of hell inspired me to live a little more like there may be no tomorrow. With that came a new zest for life and a deep passion in my kishka, my guts. Over the coming days, months, and years, that passion has become part of my life force.
Returning back to the Mary Oliver quote above, I have grown to trust where my heart and soul take me. Living a conscious life means that I have work to do not only for myself, but for others.
With each step I take in the world, I really do it with the best intention. That doesn’t mean it is always received with open arms, but it does mean that I am standing in the integrity that is part of my core essence.
Sharing my thoughts and values is the only way I know to inspire change and to empower others. That doesn’t mean that I am always right or that I don’t frustrate or anger those who feel differently. Everyday, I am challenged to stand in the light even when it isn’t easy.
With views that are often off the beaten path or different from mainstream thinking, I have to negotiate the world with kindness. I also have to make sure that I am educated and thoughtful as I navigate conversations and writing. And sometimes, I have to receive the passion of others.
While passion isn’t always full of light, my work is be the light and always remember that I want every “wild and precious day” to live consciously and thoughtfully.
With love, light, and blessings,
Chava
Lightwavejourney's Blog 