Let There Be Light . . . by Judith Arianne

And lo we have electric lights. Was the real message meant for the physical world, or did it mean the light we carry within? So, where is it? Yes, we see daylight each day, but the light we seem to have lost is bouncing about inside waiting for us to turn it on. Turn on your heart light was a song by Neil Diamond. Do we only turn on our heart light on special occasions? When someone is dying, sick, or poor, is that the only reason to turn on the light? What would happen to our world if suddenly we all turned on the light from within? What could happen is that we would all become aware of living in the light, the light of a higher power. More than a mere 150 watts, there is no measuring of the brilliance of which we are capable.

You say you are living in the light and can see just as well as anyone? How do you feel today about your boss, husband, wife, sister, brother, mother, father, all of whom you know, you see, you talk to, and you hold certain pent-up feelings, pain, guilt, greed, envy. How is it when a holiday comes around, a birthday, we set aside the dark side, and smile through the pain of it. How do you feel about you? How many mountains must you climb to find out who you are? And, what if instead of just sometimes standing in the light, you were enlightened with a sudden jolt? What if you saw a vision? What if you woke one day to find that you felt differently about the world you lived in? Who would you tell?

Would you turn over a new leaf, or go on and not say anything, because no one would believe you? What if, you suddenly loved humanity, respected animals and the land, did not want war, wanted to give rather than receive on more than one or two days of the year? What if you helped someone in your area every day? Gave love, talk, food, time, understanding? What if you believed in yourself even if you thought there was nothing to believe in? Would you take a closer look within? Surely if you looked long enough the light would go on, and you would see all that you are capable of. As we all are.

Are we not here for each other? What fun would it be in a world of one? Who could you share joy with? Yet, that one can become one in another aspect. The joy you have within, the joy you radiate, the love you radiate goes outward into the cosmos of humanity. People become aware of that essence, and suddenly one is one - all encompassing. But wait! What is enlightenment anyway? We read about it all the time, but do we really know what it is? It's certainly not some bandwagon with searchlights scooping up the masses and dumping them in dark places to see if they glow. Finding love and peace within the self and passing it on with the true understanding of what it is, is enlightenment. Realizing why you are here is enlightenment. Finding your path is enlightenment. Not judging others by what you do or believe is enlightenment. Living without conditions put upon anyone for your welfare is enlightenment. Daring to face truth head on about yourself is enlightenment. Leaving the past and its baggage in the past and moving ahead is enlightenment. Living the best design of your life without hurting the earth you reside on is enlightenment. Knowing your soul is enlightenment. Trusting the integrity of the self is enlightening.

Do we have to see the face of Christ, the face of any higher power to gain enlightenment? Can we just believe in who we are and go from there? Do we have the tools? Yes. So, what is taking so long? How many teachers do we need in order to find out who we are and why we are here? How about one? How about us? How about WE? Yes, we can do it; we can turn on the light... if we really want to. If we make time, if we choose to, if we love who we are enough, that light we are looking for will appear, and the harmony and peace we all strive for in this life will be the norm. The searching will be over. Only the light will shine out from this planet, and all other life will gaze upon the speck in the darkness that shines brighter than any sun. Sound like a dream? It is, yours and mine. We get to create it, artists with brush in hand creating rainbows in eternity.

When you get up tomorrow morning will you know if you are enlightened? Will you then feel lighter? Will you still curse your neighbor for allowing his dog to relieve himself on your lawn? Will you still be ready to mow down the person on the road that cut you off? Or will you be able to let it go, not give it any energy, and continue on that uncertain path of loving and allowing? Will it take a miracle for you to know what it really is to be enlightened? The last fight, the last jealous rage, the last divorce, the last near death experience. Are these what will bring in the light?

A sudden grabbing of the throat usually gets our attention. In this case, what needs grabbing is the psyche. We need to reach inside and find what's in there. What has been hiding, afraid to surface? Compassion? Loving thy self and humanity? The spirit we were all born with, what happened to it? You say you don't have time to get enlightened? Time is ALL you have. We take memories and love with us, and time stays here. So does the remembrance of greed, hate, guilt, stress, and all the earthly attributes we all fight for during our stay here. To leave here with balance and harmony in our lives, and that of our friends and family is what it is all about.

You do not have to be hit by lightning to see what your eyes have been blinded to. You don't have to give millions to charity, or run for office, or be king. No, all you have to do is understand that your higher power, your Spirit, your gift to yourself and humanity is within the confines of your mind. It is a choice to give, rather than take. A choice to help, rather than hinder. A choice to be one with the universe, and to look into another's face and know that he is a brother, without judgment, fear, or hidden agenda. You may have to work at becoming enlightened, however.

You may have to walk the plank of sincerity and truth. You may have to realize who you are. You may have to love unconditionally, and you just may know that the light shines for everyone; they just have to remove the curtain of doubt. Be random in your good deeds, your love, your truth. See how light you feel when you give freely of yourself, do not hold back waiting to see if someone else gives first, or if you deserve to be first in line. Does it really matter when you are gone, who came first? How many presents you got in life? The presents that really matter cannot be seen, except in the eyes and hearts of those who love you. And why make them wait until Christmas or their next birthday to show them your love? Why not start now, and treat everyone with love and honor, respect and caring? It grows, you know, it spreads like honey flowing from the hive. If, for one moment, we all loved who we are and used that energy for the good of each other, the planet of good and bad would simply fade away.

Enlightenment is being aware of the huge capacity we have to open our hearts and invite the light in. The soul teaches us but we do not always listen. We do not have to hate because we are taught. In the silence of our souls the hymns are written. The light helps us to read them so we may sing them for eternity. After all it is all up to US...

Judith Arianne was born in Wisconsin and now lives in California. A person with many profound events happening in her life, she is always open to new secrets of the universe. She is an artist, writer, and works with older people who, if given the time, have many life stories that have too long been silent. She loves and cares for the planet as a citizen of the earth and is grateful for the gift of learning that has held such great bounty for her. She can be reached via email at Idyllprincess@aol.com.

Read Judith's Previous article - Young Heart, Ancient Wisdom.