Have you ever noticed that when you open the curtains and let light into a room, your spirit and mood tend to get lighter and brighter too?
As we enter into the winter season and it gets darker earlier and there is less light in our life, our mood can become darker. Darkness carries with it a certain heaviness that weighs on us. Think about it: Lead is dark and heavy, down feathers look and feel light. Dark beer tastes and sits heavier than its lighter Pilsner brother. Coffee is darker and heavier than tea.
In industries like footwear and fitness, light weight is the hottest trend. Whether light weight running and training shoes or lighter exercise programs to include more core fitness and yoga, people want to lighten up in many areas of their life. Ipods are getting smaller and lighter. Computers are becoming more compact and light weight. You can carry hundreds of books in a kindle that weighs less than a pound.
As we recognize the physical need to lighten our loads, it is important to recognize the need to lighten mentally and spiritually as well. In a world of heavy debt, heavy relationships and heavy workloads, it is critical we find ways to bring more light(ness) to all that we think and do.
When the weight of the world is pressing on us, our mood becomes dark and heavy. We carry yesterday's mistakes and tomorrow's worries, the weight of which slow us down and often leave us sitting in the dark. We find it more difficult to get out of bed; we feel sluggish and lacking in energy and enthusiasm.
So what can we do to shed the weight of our burdens and shed light on our situation? First, focus all your energy in the here and now. You can shed yesterday's regrets and tomorrow's worries by bringing your attention and awareness to the present moment. No matter how much time you spend on yesterday, it will never get better. No matter how much thought energy you give to worrying about tomorrow, it won't make it come any quicker. The present moment is the only time you have to impact your life. When we live in the moment, God's light shines on us. Our mood and attitude lighten and the clouds dissipate. God is only present in the moment. He is does not live in yesterdays or tomorrows.
Here is a list of some activities that can help bring light(ness):
1. Clear you workspace of all the clutter so you can focus on the task at hand.
2. Purge your closet so you focus on the clothing that you love and makes you feel good. If you haven't worn it in a year, take it to Goodwill.
3. Clean your email inbox. File, delete or answer. Try to touch every email only once. How can you focus on what is important if you have 100's of emails to go through over and over.
4. Listen to more relaxing music. The right music can lighten your mood.
5. Laugh out loud. Laughter produces more life energy and more of the chemicals in our brain that make us feel good.
6. Turn off the TV. The drama and death of the news and CSI shows can cause tension and stress.
7. Play a game with your kids. The fun and laughter will lighten you all up...together.
8. Take more deep, cleansing breaths. Our breathing tends to be too shallow and allows tension and tightness in our neck and shoulders. Sit up and open up your breathing.
9. Eat lighter. Have some fish instead of meat. Eat more fruit and vegetables. It will lead to a lighter and more energetic you.
10. Get a little exercise. Take a walk, take the stairs, park a little further from the mall. The endorphins from exercise at any level will bring lightness to all you do.
11. Do something to help someone else. If you help someone else solve their problems, you stop focusing on your own.
Put down your heavy burdens and lighten up...NOW!
