“When day comes, we step out of the shade, aflame and unafraid. The new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it.”
Amanda Gorman, Youth Poet Laureate

My soul was touched during the Presidential Inauguration ceremony as I listened to Amanda Gorman’s powerful poem ‘The Hill We Climb’. She radiated beauty, light, and love as she delivered it. Goosebumps! It reminded me of how often the words ‘with light and love’ and ‘being vs doing’ are used as we spiritually awaken to greater remembering and depths of understanding who we are. For many years I’ve believed that our true essence, which some may call our eternal soul, is LOVE and the embodiment of light. However, the concept of ‘being and not doing’ has only made sense to me in recent years.

Why did it take me so long to understand? I didn’t think that I wasn’t brave enough. As I journeyed I learned that I couldn’t intellectualize it. In fact, I had to give myself permission to unlearn some things. One of the big ones was to re-vision what success and reward meant to me after spending so many years in Corporate America where success meant producing results and answering ‘what have you done for me lately’? It’s amazing how much unlearning there is once a conscious decision to awaken is made.

Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Buddhist monk said, “We have a tendency to think in terms of doing and not in terms of being. We think that when we are not doing anything, we are wasting our time. But that is not true. Our time is first of all for us to be. To be what? To be alive, to be peaceful, to be joyful, to be loving. And that is what the world needs most.” I agree! The question is, “Are we brave enough to be it?” I find there are other things I strive to be. What? To be kind, compassionate, accepting, inclusive, and so much more. Your list may be different than mine but I’ve found this understanding through the years has helped me to become more of my true nature! The things that I do are an expression of that.

Although Amanda’s poem wasn’t referenced as a spiritual poem I felt the depth of her words, insights, and application to our awakening journey to the truth of who we are as well. Are we brave enough to be the light and love that we are? This is a question for every person to answer on their own. As you know, there are many people on our planet who aren’t ready to ask this question and that’s okay for everyone’s journey is individual and unique. Fear of the unknown can be a great inhibitor to change and moving forward.  Remaining comfortable with what is known and familiar will affect many people and their choice to “be brave enough to be it.”

In the meantime as we interact with others who choose a different path than the one we choose – acceptance is key. Remember who you are! Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us that, “The source of love is deep in us and we can help others realize a lot of happiness. One word, one action, one thought can reduce another person’s suffering and bring that person joy.” How you respond to them and their choice will create your experience. Are you ready to BE?

My January group Zoom channeling session with Luminus and the Messengers of Light will be offered on Tuesday, January 26th. Please register to join us from 2p-3:30p AZ/MTN and if you would like to connect with me or schedule a private session please go to victoriabarna.com