What’s Eclipsing Your Shine?

It’s a total eclipse

In case you have somehow missed the nonstop news coverage, there​ will be a total solar eclipse with a path across the US starting in about an hour from me typing this post.  Our local schools are staying open an hour later, restaurants and bars are having eclipse day specials (even the donut shop is featuring “eclipse” donuts) and moon pies are flying off the shelf! All the excitement has caused my 5-year old to ask a lot of questions. Yesterday, she asked me how the moon can block the sun when the sun is so much bigger. That is a fair question. She has seen the models of the solar system and understands the differences in size. I did my best to explain that the sun looks smaller from a distance and that the shadow created by the moon is what “blocks” out the sun. However, she still looked confused. I guess I didn’t do a good job of explaining because she sighed (kinda like she was frustrated) and then said “The Sun is bigger, it shouldn’t let a little moon keep it from shining.” And in classic fashion (at least for my children) she walked away, saying she had a [pretend] sleepover to go to.

Wisdom from a child

You know that got me thinking, right?  See, not to brag or anything, but I consider myself to be a pretty talented woman.  I manage my family, my marriage, my job, my side hustles and I think I do a decent job…well, at least I don’t suck at it.  Plus, I don’t look half bad in a dress and some heels :-)!  However, sometimes I allow small things to come into my life and totally “eclipse” my shine.  For example, I can be having a good day where things are going really well and one small thing can come up and change my whole day!  Have you ever had one of those days?  I will give you an example.  Recently, I was having one of those ah-mazing days. The hubby and I were being all romantic, the kids were walking around the house in harmony (I mean not one fight, not even the “he’s looking at me” fight) and work was going well.  I was pretty much “gliding on happy vibes” throughout my day.  After work, I ran into an old friend at the grocery store.  It was someone who I had not seen in about 10 years.  She and I used to be very close (we were friends in college) but we moved apart over time.  It wasn’t a mean thing – we just had different interests.  Anyway, we proceeded to have the usual small talk that happens when you haven’t seen someone in a while.  You know: how are you? what are you doing now? how is your spouse?  etc.  In that conversation, she brought up a “remember when” story from back when we were in college. (Really, somethings don’t need to be remembered!)  It was a time in my life (one of many) where I made a poor decision and the result was me loosing my confidence and my self-esteem (hmm, I should write about that one).  Anyway, our conversation was literally only 10 minutes.  That’s it.  10 minutes.  But I left that conversation feeling some kind of way.  You know why?  I had allowed myself to start thinking about that time in my life and all the mistakes I made.  Listen, I am not in my 20’s anymore.  Do you know how many mistakes I have made in my lifetime?  I started going down the rabbit hole of “what-if’s” and “why did I’s” and soon my whole mood was changed.  I lost the pep in my step.  My smile was gone. By the time I got home, my family was wondering what was wrong with me!  I allowed the past to eclipse my present.  Did you get that? Somebody missed it!  I will say it again. I allowed my past (mistakes, hurts, etc.) to eclipse my present (my joy, my peace, my focus).  Seriously, those things in my past made me who I am today.  I was having a great day and in 10 minutes allowed a conversation with someone (who I never spoke to again) take me to a place that took away my joy.  In the words of my 5-year-old, I shouldn’t let a little moon keep my Sun from shining!

What is eclipsing your shine?

How about you?  Have you ever been in a position where you let something so small keep your Sun from shining?  Some thought in your head?  Doubt?  Past hurt?  Anger? A bad relationship?  Listen, you are so much bigger than these small “moons”. You have so much to offer the world.  I know because I have met the whopping 5 people who actually read this blog!  You are amazing!  You are talented!  You are special!  Many of those moons in your life have made you better…stronger…smarter.  And get this, even if you read this and go out and make another mistake, bad decision, or doubt yourself right now….you can still shine!  If you have been letting the small moons in your life, eclipse your shine, stop it!  OK, that was harsh.  I will say it this way.  The eclipse today is expected to be a full eclipse for only a few minutes.   So, I will give you a few minutes to get yourself together!  Identify that small moon, call it as small as it is, and move on. Deal?  Now go, enjoy the eclipse and don’t stop shining!  🙂