A short time ago I was given the image of “Being a Lighthouse”, and receiving that image has gotten my imagination going non-stop. (Everything becomes a visual for me.) I have been using this image of a tall, stately lighthouse to help me remember to stay in neutrality and shine my light; no matter what is going on around me. I really have enjoyed the image, and occasionally I have embodied it; standing up tall and strong, strengthening my legs and core, and visualizing shining out a light to others, so they see that there is light out here… even when sometimes it just looks like all that exists is dark waters.

     So last weekend I began leading my new Anahata Earth Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Group, and this image of the lighthouse just kept coming up strong for me. In teacher training, there is a lot of material on yogic lifestyle and that leads to discussion, and a ton of self-reflection. So I was beginning to explain about the concept of vibration, and strengthening your light vibration so you can be neutral in any situation, even one that feels heavy and dense, and still know that all is well and you are Light. I was guided to share this Lighthouse image as a way to get across the idea that we do not have to get “sucked into” other people’s views and perspectives of life, and we do not have to sit in a place of judgment on their choices.

We can maintain our own strong connection to our Truth Within and shine our light, discerning what we want to participate in, and offering love to all.

     I stated, “You know, think about a lighthouse, it does not pick and choose who gets to benefit from its light, it shines just as brightly for the drunk captain steering their ship into the rocks, and the sober sailor who sees the light and avoids the dangerous territory. And on top of it, the lighthouse does not go jumping into the water to save the drunk captain from danger! A lighthouse trying to swim ends up “butt-up” with its light in the ocean, and that does not help anyone. Lighthouses are not built to swim!”

I offer the same to you today. I know many people who have felt called and have chosen beautiful ways to serve others with their gifts and talents. I know in my not so distant past I thought that the way to serve was to jump into the waves and pull people from their sea of pain, suffering and “mistakes”. The funny thing to me now, is that I realize that no one wants to be saved. People ultimately want to save themselves or not. Heck, sometimes I might be the only one who thinks that they need saving!

So I can shine my light brightly, I can say “Hey you look pretty shiny there too!”. I can offer them some tools that may guide them back to their light if they are interested. All of that must be given from a safe distance from the waves and the rocks, because if I dive in as the lighthouse I am sunk for sure, and then who will be shining for those keen, aware sailors ready to see the light and bypass some danger?

Today I choose to be the Lighthouse- strong, secure, with squeaky clean windows to shine my light out to All of those who are at sea, not just those who I deem “willing to See”. This is my “job”, this is me.