There are so many possible interpretations to the phrase “seeing the light.”

I’m an amateur photographer, so “seeing the light” is something we are encouraged to do when making a photograph. “Where is the light coming from? What is the angle of the light? What is the quality and color of the light?” All questions we don’t think about when most of us are just taking pictures.

“Seeing the light” has been tied to revelations that have been made to us about something. “Ah, now I see the light.”

But for me, “seeing the light” is seeing someone’s light – the thing that makes them glow.

I’m not referring to their personality or a skill set they may own, I’m referring to the inner light they let out for the world to see.

In most people, you have to look for it.

Back to photography for a moment. Everyone has an expression that captures their light, but you really have to work to get it. We cover over our natural light with so many modifiers that it’s difficult to see it in its purest form, but I’ve come to know it’s there.

People whose light comes out naturally are people you gravitate towards. Most of us have to work at it but there are those who just radiate their light without effort. These are people who have something we want but we just can’t seem to put our finger on what that something is. It’s their light.

They unknowingly provide a sense of a safe haven when you’re in their company and that’s one of the many reasons you want to be around them.

We all have that light; we just have to recognize that it’s available and then go to work on letting it shine. That means that we have to un-board the doors and windows that are keeping it from adding to the light of day.

A good place to start is to let go of pretense. Notice that the person filled with light has none. Dropping our “airs” takes pretense out of the air and let’s more light through.

Also notice that the person with abundant light takes the time to experience you. They may be labeled a “good listener” but what’s really going on is that they are with you when you’re with them. They are not off rehearsing their next thought; they are there for you and it feels good to bask in that type of light.

Make it a practice to seek the light in yourself and others; it’s an illuminating way to approach your day and it’s the closest you’ll ever get to picture perfect.

All the best,

John