Photo Journey: Choose To Be A Light (Part 2)

Back in October, I published part one of these Choose to Be a Light photo journeys, exploring the idea of putting positive energy into the world. But for this follow-up, I wanted to turn that light inward—because the two are more connected than we often realize. If you don’t tend to your own light, how can you expect to shine for others? That thought kept coming back to me as I looked through my lighthouse photos. Lighthouses don’t just stand there beaming—they require care, upkeep, and a steady foundation to do their job. And we’re no different.

I’ve always cared deeply about what people think and how my actions affect them. The desire to be considerate and empathetic is a good thing—until it collides with imposter syndrome and a strong dose of (self-diagnosed) OCD. When that happens, the instinct to be thoughtful can start chipping away at your own sense of genuine self-worth. And without realizing it, your energy can drift from being the beacon of positivity you set out to be.

That’s not to say any sort of malicious intent creeps in. It’s just that, if you’re lucky, the people around you are kind, thoughtful, and truly care about you. And no matter how much you try to hide it, if you’re hurting or carrying sadness, they’re going to feel that energy. So while you may want to prioritize their happiness, taking the time to work on your own isn’t selfish—it’s a way of bringing peace to those around you.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the guilt I feel when I inadvertently let it show that I’m hurting. I never want to be a burden—I want to be that beacon of karmic light I spoke about in the first Choose to Be a Light entry. But I’ve also been trying to remind myself that finding my own peace sometimes means not holding in my pain. Because whether you intend to or not, the people you love can sense when your light dims. So you might as well be honest about it. Openness creates space for light to exist, and light, after all, is the best disinfectant.

I bring this up to emphasize that when I say it’s important to nurture our inner light in order to share that luminance with others, I don’t mean it should be a solitary journey. No person is an island. Working on your inner light isn’t an isolating experience, nor is it a selfish act. You don’t have to choose between being a light for yourself and being a light for others. In fact, as I mentioned earlier, the two are deeply connected.

In the end, light finds its way into every crevice it can reach. It’s as contagious as the common cold and infinitely renewable. When you cultivate your own light, it naturally spreads to those around you. And when you share it, you don’t lose any of your own—if anything, it only grows, expanding to fill the space around you. So if you want to be a light in this world, start by igniting your own spark.