Something amazing happens to me when the sun shines. My mood is uplifted, I have an extra pep in my step and life seems just a little bit sweeter. Unfortunately, I live in a city where warm weather and sunshine are far from the norm. There are gray days and in the absence of the sunlight that I love so much, my mood often suffers.

My aunt recently told me a story about how as a child, I used to wake up everyday, go to the window and regardless of whether it was picture perfect outside or dark and stormy, I’d say: “What a beautiful day!” Somewhere along the line, I lost touch with that ability I had to create the feeling I desire from within, to BE THE LIGHT.

It definitely takes practice but it is possible to be the source of our own joy every day, rain or shine and regardless of what life throws at us. This begins by adopting an attitude of gratitude and asking ourselves: ”What do I have to be thankful for today?” Ultimately, it is up to us to make the most of our lives day by day, and the way to do this is to be the cause of those things we are after. When we let our peace, fulfillment and happiness be determined by external factors, we make ourselves vulnerable to unnecessary suffering. When we take responsibility for our lives and our state of being, we begin to realize that the light we have been seeking out there has been within us all along.

Accepting that we can’t control people, situations or the weather is an important first step. The next step is to remember that the one thing we can control is who we are being in the face of life’s ups and downs. So whether it’s one of those dark and gloomy days where life is challenging you, or the day ahead is looking bright and things are going your way, greet life with a thankful heart and let the joy and love within you shine.

Be the light.

Written for The Daily Love (July 9, 2011)