I’m not going to go into a visual description of the great usage of bathroom tissue, but did you know you can learn from it too? I love words and phrases and as such, wherever I go, they pop out at me. As I walk to work each day, I pass a particular advertisement for a bathroom tissue with a cute puppy on it. And the first time I noticed the sign, I thought awww how cute and I loved the slogan – “We shine where the sun doesn’t.” I’ve passed this sign for a few weeks now and it always puts a smile on my face. Today it brought me to this message.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could take this message into areas of your life that you feel the sun isn’t shining? Rather than sitting in the darkness of fear, the unknown, bad feelings, and scary thoughts, that you brought the light of hope, health, love, and fun into all areas of your life?

Quotes of the day:

“In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present.” 

~ Francis Bacon

“Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.” 

~ Marianne Williamson

“And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”   

~ Nelson Mandela

“Someday perhaps the inner light will shine forth from us, and then we’ll need no other light.”   

~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

For the next week, I invite you to shine light where there is perceived darkness.

When you are sitting in a contentious business meeting: speak of hope where there are words of dismay; speak of encouragement where there are words of discouragement; speak of inspiration where there is words lack, fear, anger, or disappointment. Own the story of unlimited possibilities rather than the story others choose to believe on ‘we’re in hard times’.

Rather than getting stuck in the muck of your relationships not working and joining in on the arguments or negative thinking, try shining light into the relationship rather than joining in on the doom and gloom. Rather than joining in on the current story of a troubled relationship, why not remember what brought you together in the first place. Whether it’s a friendship, a work relationship, or a romantic relationship, take yourself to a place where you truly admired that person and shine the light of love rather than the darkness of fear.

When you are going through any challenging (fill in the blank of your current story) experience, shine the light on it by knowing you will be fine. Challenging experiences aren’t failures at all but rather opportunities to expand and grow. I’m sure each of you have been in a situation that at the time felt awful, but looking back realized that was perfect to get you where you are now. Shine that idea now while in the situation rather than waiting for the “aha” moment when you are fully out of it.

Mostly, I invite you to simply SHINE regardless of the situation. Whether you are on a trip of a lifetime or stuck in rush hour traffic – choose to shine! Whether you are saying “I do” or signing a divorce agreement – choose to shine! Whether you just got the greatest promotion at your job or you were let go – choose to shine! If you choose to shine some light into every situation, I promise they will be easier, quicker, and more joyful.

Until next time, shine bright! 

~Carol

Looking for a way to stay focused on Living Life Fulfilled? Make sure to surround yourself with people who lift you up, inspire you, support you, and simply love to laugh and have fun.