​Sparkle & Shine: Look For the Light

Sparkle & Shine
Look For The Light
By Joan Bender

What makes you light up, sparkle and shine? Is it music, art, writing, dance, family, work, being in
nature? We all have things that tap into our inner light and make us shine. As I sit to write this, I have
just completed two big milestones that have amped up my wattage. The first milestone is the
completion of my gluten free cookbook and the second is my 30th high school reunion. Wow, how
time flies. I've been trying to wrap my head around all of the time that has gone by.

I almost didn't go to my reunion. Seeing people that I haven't seen in 30 years seemed stressful. All kinds of thoughts went through my mind. Will people remember me? What will they remember about me? Will it be good or bad? Will I remember them? How will I be received after all of these years? I’m sure others felt this way too, because there were many classmates who were missing. I decided to go at the last minute, and I'm so grateful that I did.

I grew up in a small, blue collar city called, Beacon, New York. It was named this, because Mount Beacon was one of a chain of mountains in the Hudson Valley that was used to signal soldiers of British attack during the revolutionary war. If there was an impending attack, a fire would be lit on the mountain top which would then trigger a fire on the next mountain top, and so on. My parents were immigrants who settled there in the 1950's following growing up in Eastern Europe during World War II. I grew up on Liberty Street. There is no coincidence in that. When my parents arrived in the United States, they had a choice to live with relatives in New York City or relatives in Beacon. They chose Beacon, because Mount Beacon reminded them of the mountain range in their homeland, and because Beacon and Liberty Street are symbols of hope and freedom.

The reunion venue had the most beautiful view of Mount Beacon, and it felt good to be home. I had the best time reconnecting with friends from my childhood. Some of us started out together in kindergarten, and we graduated together from high school. I loved listening to people's stories, and noticing what topics made them light up. Some people lit up when they talked about their children or their pets. Others lit up when they talked about their careers. Others went a little dim when talking about their careers, but lit up when talking about their hobbies.

So I ask you, what is your beacon? What makes you light up? What brings you a sense of freedom and taps into your soul? I always try to make it a point to tell my clients when their light switches on. Look for the light in yourself and others, and do more of what makes you sparkle and shine.

www.jbenderwellness.com
[email protected]
New York, USA