Over the past week, several people have asked if I'd leave Be the Light up for another week. I've heard the chorus of, "leave the installation up a bit longer" during each of my projects. Some asked for the Courage Wall to become a permanent fixture. Others asked for UNITY to find a home in an indoor venue. Each time, I've been tempted, but something inside of me knew it was time to let go.
As insignificant as it may seem to let go of an art installation, saying goodbye to these wonderful creations helps me practice letting go in the rest of life. You see,
When we let go we also begin to live into the idea that nothing is permanent. Nothing. What good is it to know nothing is permanent? It helps us be fully present, knowing that in the next moment, life will shift: our kids will grow; our jobs will change; our bodies will transform. So whatever it is we're in right now, whether we're at the top of our game or the bottom of a dark hole, we can be present to it, knowing that we are experiencing the perfection of a temporary moment in time.
As we march toward 2017, what is it that you will need to let go of that will make space for your biggest, boldest, most authentic life? Maybe there's a societal norm that's holding you back from being your most authentic self. Maybe there's an internal conversation that's keeping you from living into your greatness. Maybe there's an action you take that no longer serves you.
Choose something to let go of so you can evolve into the next chapter of yourself. Visualize yourself holding it in your hands, clinging to it as if you never want to let it go. Then spread your hands and release it into the wind. Let the breeze carry it far from you with outstretched arms. Breathe in the lighter air, making space for something new. And walk forward into that space with curiosity, hope and wonder about what comes next.
Dear Light
Inspired by Be the Light, Wendi Kaplan, Alexandria's Poet Laureate, wrote this poem. It is a wonderful expression of presence. Thank you, Wendi, for sharing your light with us!
Dear Light
Thank you.
Thank you for the way
you paint the sunset
with golds and reds.
For the way you awaken me,
simply by peeking through my window;
Like this morning,
brushing the sky with hues
of cerulean, sapphire, indigo, denim,
sharing secret names for blue,
that for me were new and
drew streaks
of Renoir both outside of me
and inside of me.
Thank you for the morning
I crested the hill, and found
the bright, full Frost Moon
waiting like a queen at the top,
deciding she would stay—
no matter
that the sun had already risen.
Thank you for the flames
we light in December,
reminding us of
past and possible miracles.
-Wendi R. Kaplan
A Memento
Just because we let go doesn't mean that we don't want to keep the memories of those special times in our lives. If you want to remember the commitment you made to be the light, consider buying one of our custom-made Be the Light shirts! You can find them in our Etsy shop, along with other wearable inspiration and tools to help you live big!