Feeling Radiant

By Shawn McAndrew

Do you ever wake up first thing in the morning and notice the light? It might be streaming in through the window, or perhaps it is diffused by curtains. But you can tell it’s morning because the darkness of night has left the building. Light indicates a new day has dawned.

New Possibilities

Each day has new possibilities awaiting us. We can choose to stay stuck in yesterday and the past, or we can recognize we have a choice for a different experience today. We can choose how to feel. With the sun streaming in and the possibilities that await, radiant may be an appropriate feeling with which to begin.

Radiant evokes feelings of joy and hope in me. I believe many things are possible when I’m feeling radiant. I also exude that feeling, which can be seen and felt by others. People smile at me and respond positively to me. It is inviting and opening.

Feeling Radiant

By embracing the feeling of radiance, we are exposing our spirit to others. We’re making space for connection. Our spirit can be conveyed through a smile, a quick hello, or a longer conversation. Having an impromptu conversation with someone I don’t know tends to enliven me and bring a smile to my face.

This past year has seen us putting up buffers and walls when interacting with others. Socially distancing, face masks, and not being able to hug or stand close to friends and family has been hard on most of us. The light that radiates toward others through our eyes has been one way to overcome these buffers and walls.

Connecting

Radiance is a way to connect with others. We don’t even have to make much of an effort – the light in our eyes speaks for us. Our radiant, loving spirit sees the radiant, loving spirit in others, and that makes connection.