Let There Be Light

I'm fitting a few moments of "me" time into today. Into this week. Even now, my children are hovering, and I'm fighting the good Mom fight of: "I love you and I know you haven't seen me all week but I need three to ten minutes of silent alone time but I do know you're growing and won't want to share everything about your day soon so...".

I need three to ten minutes.

My life is about to drastically change. I'm closing a season of time tomorrow, and it is incredibly difficult for me. I'm looking forward to the change, but it is a painful process to let go, to say "good-bye" to tasks that feel unfinished and to people my heart cares for. I am a very personal person. So often we are encouraged to "just live life," and "it's not personal, it's business," and "don't mix in emotions." It is good advice. It is. But, I don't care what anyone says, all good things come from being personal. All good things. Cold, hard people do not unwrap positive experiences for the world. Good work ethic. Good output. Good effort. World changers. These are organized, FEELING, people.

Thank you for your business advice. But I will continue to be myself. I will continue to put my heart on my sleeve and put myself wholly into my work. It's the only way I can be. And it's the only way I can change the world.

I'd like to express my gratitude for mentors, for "shiners." Those people with wisdom who shine when all the lights go out. Steady. Grace givers. Thank you for what you do. There are so few lights, mentors, and today my heart is very heavy for that specific reason.

Can I encourage you today to be that person?

Be a light. Please. Shine. Light up the dark places of the world. Don't bring more darkness. Don't bring more gossip. Don't bring more pain.

Be wise. Be quiet. Speak with grace.

I'm nervous moving into a new job, moving into a new season. Everyone hates being new. I especially hate being new. Learning new tasks. I prefer to know everything about everything two seconds in. If you know me, you get that.

But as I go, I give myself the same advice. No matter the season or place, I will try to shine. To be personal. To light up the dark places. And maybe change my corner of the world.