Let Your Light Shine

This week we’ve had a number of untimely celebrity passings: Tonight Show sidekick Ed McMahon; Charlie’s Angels star Farrah Fawcett; music icon Michael Jackson; and most recently the man known as the King of Infomercials, Billy Mays. Though all of these individuals left their own mark on the world with their unique talent, style and personalities, they share one thing in common: they all loved what they did and let their light shine through in their work and everyday lives.

Hearing of these incredible losses one after the other this week really got me to thinking. Their time came far too quickly, but they will all be remembered for the short time they were here because they put everything they had into what they did and how they lived their lives. It made me a little sad that the majority of us go through life just living by the status quo. We go to our jobs, take care of our families, and find ourselves tired, exhausted, and sometimes resentful.

I grew up being taught that I needed to go to college, find a job and stay at that job for 30+ years, then retire with a gold watch. No one ever introduced the idea to me that I could be successful with my own business and make money doing something I actually liked, doing not only what was expected of me. I think at one point or another we all get caught in the trap of not following our hearts because we need to put food on the table or we worry that others will think we’re crazy for leaving a steady paycheck and benefits for the unknown. Yes, the unknown is a bit scary, but these days there’s no guarantee that the 30-year job will be there tomorrow. In my opinion, I’d rather be in control of where my next paycheck is coming from instead of relying on someone else to make that decision for me or worrying about pounding the pavement in hopes that someone thinks I’m “qualified enough” to work for them.

I prefer to dance to the beat of my own drum and let my light shine through what I do and who I interact with on a daily basis. Is it a challenge? Yes. Is it difficult sometimes? Sure. Would I trade it for anything? Absolutely not, because I’m doing what makes me happy, contributing to my household and living life on my terms. If something isn’t working, I can fix it. If I don’t like something, I can change it. If I want to move in a different direction, I can do so without waiting for a promotion or approval from anyone.

I live a simple life in a small town because I choose to, not stuck in a city I hate just because there may be opportunities there.

The life I am creating is my “why” for doing what I do. I am in control. I have no limits. Though I am an unknown compared to the four fallen souls we lost this week, I’d like to think I am similar in that they all impacted the world in a positive way by doing what they loved and doing it their way, just as in my own little way I am doing the same thing. If my time came tomorrow, would my picture be plastered on Access Hollywood and all over the Internet? Probably not, but somewhere, somehow I have made a difference in someone’s life; that matters more to me than a gold watch for 30 years of service where no one will remember my name when I walk out the door.

Farewell Ed, Farrah, Michael and Billy, and thank you for shining your lights for us all. You will be missed.

Until next time, embrace your inner wisdom.

Namaste,
Karen