I​n case you missed it or forgot (I mean, there have been a few other things going on this year…), my One Little Word for 2020 is SHINE. Yes, SHINE. I was not comfortable with this word. It made me cringe and recoil at first. As I mentioned before when I first shared this word with you, I have always preferred blending in. Back at the end of 2019, I wrote this about blending in:

“Blending in may seem to be the comfortable choice. It may seem to be the path of least resistance. But it really isn’t. Because in order to “blend in,” we must become a watered-down version of ourselves. We cannot maintain the brilliance we were born with. Blending in means sacrificing the things that deep-down really matter to us so that we can satisfy some perceived social requirement.”

In all honesty, my first thought when I read this was, “Good job, December me! That is so true!”

I am not motivated by recognition or accolades. I am very happy doing good behind the scenes. So today is not a post where I tell you all of the good things I’ve been doing this year to shine. Because I didn’t do them so I could post them online for everybody to see. I did them because I want to shine–I want to spread light. And right now more than ever, I think light is far more valuable than fanfare.

S​o while this year has looked nothing like I anticipated when I chose this word and when I wrote that blog post, I am so grateful for the push it has given me to try to spread light in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

C​harge and Recharge

I​n my original post about my OLW, I wrote about how I recognized my need to rest more. And, for the most part, I think I have been more gentle with myself and tried to sleep in a bit later (this week excepted). I downloaded a sleep tracking app and wear my watch to bed most nights so I can track my sleep and find ways to improve.

E​ach year as hurricane season approaches, I try to do something to be a little more prepared than we were the year before. This year, I bought these really cool solar lamps for each of us.

I thought of all of the comforts we need during storms and power outages, light is possibly the highest-ranking (or maybe air conditioning if you live here in Houston…). I remember as a kid anytime we went camping and we had flashlights, we were told over and over again, “Don’t waste the batteries!” Which was code for “Turn that darn flashlight off now!” I liked the idea that these lights could be on all night–I tested one so I know it lasts–and then sit in a windowsill or outside for a few hours to recharge and be used again without the worry of “wasting the battery” the next day.

W​e are a lot like those solar lanterns. But I think sometimes we forget and think we’re like the old flashlights of our youth. We think that if we put all of our energy into something, we’re wasting the batteries, that there won’t be enough later when we really need the light. But that’s not the case. We can recharge. We can give all we’ve got and recharge and still have more to give. Our love does not have a limited capacity that gets all used up and then becomes dead weight rattling around inside us. It can be recharged. We don’t need to be stingy with it. We can use it freely–liberally even–through all the dim and/or dark times.

​I think recharging looks different to everyone. For me, I feel recharged when I read a book, go for a walk, sing, force myself to see the positive in a situation, do a freewrite, laugh, talk with a close friend or family member, take a break from social media (I’ve been trying to keep off of all social media every Sunday–it’s been a game-changer), do something crafty, serve someone else, and smile more. Seriously, smile right now. Do you feel that? It’s like a little volt of energy. Just like my little solar lanterns, I don’t need to be in one specific location to recharge. I just need to access the light around me–when it is around me–and recharge. It might feel especially dark right now. But I promise there is light if you seek it and if you can’t see it right away, know that the light will come.

Blogiversary

Today’s giveaway comes from my friend Jenn from Jubilee by Jenn! Jenn is an amazing Party and Event Stylist. She has recently started selling these amazing Kid Kits, which she calls “Parties in a box!” If you are looking for some fun activities to do with your kids this summer, or you are socially distant from your grandkids or nieces or nephews right now, these boxes may be just what you’ve been looking for. One lucky winner will receive one of Jenn’s LEGO kits!

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