As much as many of us have tried to fit in — or rebelled against the pressure to fit in — we’ll never fit in. We’ll never be “normal.” We can’t be. That’s because each of us is magnificently unique. In fact, our utter uniqueness is what makes us so magnificent.
Truth be told: We are all lighthouses. We are all filled with the light of Source, and we radiate it out into the world.
If, right now, our lights aren’t shining brightly enough to be seen from miles around, it’s only because the windows of our lighthouses are coated with “gunk,” and that gunk acts like a filter. It reduces the amount of light that gets through the windows — plus it colors what comes in, too. That gunk dramatically affects the way we see and receive the world around us.
I’ve found that we each have different gunk, so we perceive external reality differently. The degree of difference can be quite surprising. After all, it seems as if we’re all seeing the same thing, so we expect that we’ll all have the same reaction to whatever we’re seeing. But that’s rarely the case! I’m sure we’ve all heard that when police officers take statements from several eyewitnesses to a crime, the witnesses’ statements are always really different. That’s because each of us sees and interprets everything through the filters of our own gunk!
Now, I don’t mean to make this a scary big deal. There’s no need to make ourselves bad or wrong or weak for having gunk. Actually, we’ve been entrained and enculturated to have it — by our parents, by our peers, by our teachers, by religion, by the media.
Our gunk is made up of limiting beliefs we’ve accumulated, including all the reasons we tell ourselves things like, “I could never do that” or “I’m not _____ enough.”
These gunky filters also are the reason certain patterns recur in our lives — patterns that seem so natural to us that we believe everybody experiences them. To some degree, that’s true: Many common patterns affect a large portion of humanity right now. One of these patterns revolves around respect and feeling disrespected. Another has to do with security and fear of being abandoned. Yet another deals with speaking up and feeling misunderstood. And another revolves around fitting in or feeling like an outcast.
The good news is: These are nothing more than patterns that no longer serve us — patterns that stem from one or several limiting beliefs.
Fortunately, these limiting beliefs and patterns are surprisingly easy to dissolve. In fact, Source is ready, willing and joyfully able to support us in dissolving all of this gunk as soon as we’re ready. All we have to do is state our heartfelt intention to surrender it, and be open to seeing and experiencing things differently.
As soon as we start surrendering our gunk, our light begins to shine more brightly out into the world. Plus, what we see through the windows of our lighthouse begins to look more magical and more magnificent. And soon, we begin to appreciate the magnificent uniqueness that is us!
A little window cleaning is in order! Thanks for this.
Thank you, Robbie! I can see your brilliant light from here.
You are a bright and shining Lighthouse, Sue Elliott! Thank you for your wisdom and voice.
Thank you, Mary Soliel! It takes one to know one. Thank you for shining your light into the world and sharing your amazing gifts.
It is wonderful to learn how to become limitless in your life and accomplish the greatness we were all destined for.
May your limits fall away like leaves in autumn! You truly are stepping into your greatness.
What a great reminder of our brilliance and infinite potential Sue. Thank you for being in this world and sharing your wise words with us!
Thank YOU, Kasey! You really are brilliant. And yes, it’s such a joy to re-mind ourselves of our infinite potential!
Beautiful reminder for me to stop and think about the “gunk” that I may be filtering my reality through before I respond or react. As always, an inspiring and insightful article. Thank you for shining your light, Sue!
Oh, thank you, Cathy! Your beautiful jewelry is just one way you are shining your magnificent light in the world!
I love the metaphor of the lighthouse Sue, cause once it’s visible and it’s light (my light) is shining, then everyone can see it and I am a beacon of light. Hmmmmmm.
You are a beacon of light, Ann Kelly! I can see your lighthouse from here!
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful reminder to let our light shine!
Thank you for reading it and allowing it to resonate within you, Anastasia! Please do let your beautiful light shine.
Sue, I so appreciate and trust these words of wisdom and the gift of this precious opening to Love and Light. I accept this bountiful gift now, in this very moment. I hereby surrender ALL my gunk (love that playful word), trust that Source is ready and willing to dissolve it, and I am now open to seeing and experiencing everything through a new filter!
Oh, Anne Davids! I am getting waves of goosebumps as I read your powerful words. You are lovingly supported in all of this and more. Keep on shining your bright light, beautiful lighthouse!
Wonderful article Sue! I’ve heard that people’s greatest fear is shining their own light, so lets get rid of all this gunk and illuminate this world!
Thank you, Maureen!
You’ve reminded me of a favorite quote, which Marianne Williamson wrote in A Return to Love: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Keep on shining, Maureen! You are a beacon of light and love!
Sue, So well said and the best 500 words I have heard, well and will definitely stick with me forever. One window at a time taken care of “gunk” so magnificent and beautiful.
Thank you for all the light you shine and have brighten my path! My heart and light is running over for you, keep it going :o)
Oh, Susanne! You make my heart sing with joy! Thank you for shining your beautiful light all over the world!
Refreshing reminder to clean up the gunk and let our light shine out, as well as letting the light shine in!
Beautifully written!!
Thank you, Peggy! I see your gunk dissolving with joy and ease, you bright light, you! xoxo
Thanks for the wonderful article Sue. The world needs bright lights as yourself shining light on the magic and magnificence that exists inside us right now and in the world! This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!
Oh, Judy! Thank you, thank you! I know I’m going to wake up singing “This Little Light of Mine”! You too are a brilliant beacon of light in the world 🙂
Beautiful words of encouragement, Sue! And what a great quote to remind us to shine, shine, shine! I remember singing that song, “This little light of mine” when I was a child. So true and such a wonderful philosophy: Let your light shine!
Thank you, PJ! I can see your beautiful beaming lighthouse from here. You fill the world with the warmth of your love and light!
Great insights. Thanks for being the radiant lighthouse that you are Sue!
Oh, thank YOU, Chuck! It takes one to know one 😉
I enjoyed your article, Sue. Although I have used the lighthouse metaphor with clients and students, I love how you positioned it from the perspective of our filters (gunk) obscuring the light we radiate as well as receive. And I adore your reframe of being different and not fitting in: “We’ll never be “normal.” We can’t be. That’s because each of us is magnificently unique. In fact, our utter uniqueness is what makes us so magnificent.” I wish someone told me this when I was younger… especially in my teens! What angst I might have avoided if I thought of myself as magnificent rather than different… or abnormal. Thank you.
Oh, Karen! Thank you for appreciating your magnificent uniqueness now. You are such a shining star. It’s a joy to bask in the glow of your light!
Sue, you are both my favorite gunk-buster and a precious gift to the world!
Aw, thank you so much, beautiful Col! It’s always so much fun gunk-busting with you, earth angel! xoxo
This is an excellent reminder for us, especially in a time of year when “gunk” can tend to build up within ourselves, and even within our families and friend circles. I certainly needed this today. Thank you so much!
Yay, Amie! I’m so glad this arrived in perfect timing for you. May your gunk dissolve effortlessly, like snow melting in the warm of your inner sunshine!
Thanks for the thoughts and insights, Sue! I appreciate your ease and clarity!
Thank YOU, Annie! Ease and clarity are two of my favorite favorite energies. I’m so tickled that the article radiated them out to you. May your light shine ever more brightly, as you enjoy the miracle that is you!
Love it! Let’s continue the de-gunking of the people of the planet.
Yes! Keep shining your brilliant light, my powerful friend!
Powerful words, beautiful images. Sue, you are inspiring! I’m getting out my window cleaner in joyous anticipation of what God will shine through me in my next 50 years!
Yay, Lisa! I’m so glad you’re ready to shine ever brighter. You are such a beacon of light and love!
What a wonderful, inspirational article! I am grateful that the climax of your message fit neatly within a screenshot for my personal use… It is my dream to one day be able to send such a loving message with as much grace and wisdom as yourself – I am grateful to have taken the time to “just read one article”! I look forward to reading your materials!
Sue – like the analogy of being a lighthouse and sometimes the windows need to be cleaned of gunk. Yes, we are all unique and that is a good thing for sure.