Learning to Shine the Light

Believe it or not, you’ve got a metaphorical light that you’re shining all the time.  I’m not talking about your inner goodness here.  I’m talking about a flashlight of sorts, a lens that allows you to see things clearer.  Generally speaking, you shine the light outward — keeping your focus on where you’re headed and sometimes exploring what’s hidden in the dark corners.  Shining the light in this manner ensures that your path is always illuminated, at least enough that you can follow it.

What I know is that sometimes, however, you’ve also go to shine the light inward.  This can be a daunting process for some.  When you shine the light inward, you basically allow yourself to see what you’re wanting, what you’re fearing, how you’re pushing yourself and how you might be holding yourself back.  Shining the light inward gives very little room for illusion.  And yet, shining the light inward from time to time, is what allows you to then shine the light outward with a clearer sense of purpose and direction.

I often find that this time of year lends itself to introspection of this sort.  As the current year winds down and the new year prepares to dawn, I get to ask myself questions related to my dreams and desires, my choices, my actions.  I get to clarify what it is I want, and determine whether or not I’m committed to creating and achieving whatever that is.  As I get clearer in this way, the choices that I need to make become more apparent as I then shine my light outward.

Bottom-line:  no matter what your leadership purpose or vision, it behooves you to turn your light inward from time-to-time and be sure that what’s going on “inside” lines up with the paths you’re illuminating “outside.”  Introspection is a good thing.  And this time of year can provide the perfect opportunity for you to get clear.