LifeSoup by Cherie Dawn Haas

Welcome into this bowl of Life Soup. Today’s special is on our light within.

Like many of us, I use social media – Facebook and Instagram are my current “drugs of choice,” and in a way, I consider this very blog to be a form of it since you have the ability to comment, share, etc. I think we all have our own struggles with social media; I know some who are addicted to checking their notifications, scrolling, feeling obligated to click the Like button, or searching for … something.

I “have” to use it for my career as an Online Editor, and choose to use it as a lifeline for the books I’ve published. (As a writer, it’s nice when people hear about and then read my work, lol.) Especially for my main job, it’s a direct connection to my primary income, so I’m tethered to it in that way.

That’s my excuse, anyway. (Maybe you’re asking yourself what your reason is by now?)

Another reason, though, since I’m on social media anyway, is to use them as a platform for positivity when I’m actively posting. I also wonder – am I just contributing to society’s addiction to it by adding more stuff to be scrolled through? Then I quit posting for a while, and once in a while I pause even writing for this blog.

Fortunately, I come across people who see the light in me – we see the light in each other. I look for it when I’m out and about, and if you’re still reading this I have a feeling that you share that light.

I won’t try to define it – you can feel it. Besides, our light is not the same. Yours might come from your generosity, your art or music, your quiet presence, your witty way of making others smile and laugh, the classes you teach, or the food you prepare.

I think, but I don’t really know, that my light comes from seeing you and pretty much everyone as an extension of my family. It gives more immediate room for things like patience and compassion.

I could live my best life quietly and privately and only share my light with my little family and group of friends that I see in person once in a while. Or, I could take this light global. Maybe if someone sees me dancing, smiling, writing, or doing anything else that is part of what makes us human, it’ll help them see the light, feel the light, and be the light. The next step is to share the light.

Countless others have shared their light with me (a tear just surprised me and is now falling down my cheek – this is the light of gratitude), in person or through a blog as you’re reading here now.

So this is one way I’ll share my light today. I hope you’ll find a way to share yours, too – it can be as simple as making even brief eye contact with a stranger and giving them a little smile the next time you’re out.

Thanks for being here, you beautiful light of a person.
CherieDawn