Articles

Invite the Light In

Jana M. Kemp

This is the season of reminding ourselves of the power of light in our lives. Yes, I’m referring literally to the light we crave as the days grow darker before returning to the favored hours of longer daylight. And I’m referring to the figurative light of inspiration that we crave to keep our hearts, souls and minds nourished.

Office workers around the Treasure Valley bring light into their cubicle spaces by adding special day-light electric-light-boxes so that the season’s darkness doesn’t drag them down. Remodeling and light-tube companies bring natural light into dark spaces by installing skylights and roof-tubes. And music companies serving offices offer upbeat and light-hearted seasonal music this time of year.

What is your organization doing to bring light into your daily actions and interactions with each other and with clients and customers? Do people smile when in your place of work? Smiling is a sign that light is shining both literally and figuratively.

Are people laughing from time to time as they work together or shop with you? Laughter can be another sign that light-heartedness is alive. Family pictures and children’s artwork are also signs of the lightness of being alive.

The attitude of gratitude is a form of letting light into an environment because it acknowledges the good that exists and invites that good to continue. As you’ve read in this column before, saying thank you is one form of expressing gratitude.

In the last few weeks, a shining light of coordinated volunteer and agency efforts was “turned on” in Nampa. The grand opening of the Family Justice Center demonstrates two ways of bringing light into the community. First, the skylights that were purposefully installed during the building remodel bring daylight into the large four-walled building that otherwise would have felt dark and cold. Second, bringing the discussion of family violence out into the light-of-day makes addressing the problems of domestic violence a bit easier.

Whatever action you can take this week to bring light, lightness, and light-heartedness into your daily activities and into your workplace will pay-off. At the very least you’ll feel better and more inspired. At the greatest effect, you’ll inspire someone else whose day may not be going all that well to have faith, smile and see that better things are ahead. This is the season of lightness – let’s live more light every day.

Action Items: Look for ways to bring light into your physical environments. Then take action and invite the light in. Let the light in on your daily work process. Invite integrity into each interaction and action.
__
Reprint Permission: The author is willing to grant reprint permissions. Please contact Jana Kemp: jana@janakemp.com or call 208-367-1701.