I was told recently by someone that I shine. I was confounded that this man who I had just met the night before had said this to me. He did not mean it in a romantic way – we do not have that kind of a relationship. I loved that he could say this to me quite literally after meeting me and coming into my house and meeting my kids. That he could “see” me. It’s not as if nobody had not told me this before, yet I was struck by the simplicity of his words; so profoundly beautiful and sincere.

I had had a very visceral reaction to meeting him the night before too – I loved him. It was as if our souls knew each other from another time and place. He seemed to me such a tortured soul, yet one who was able to see the beauty and joy and the Love of God infused in the every day. And I love that about him, he encourages those around him and when he looks at you, he sees your soul. It may have been because he was once a monk, or that he is a Marine who has seen the atrocities of humanity’s inhumanity to humanity, and has lived to tell the tale; it may be the torture and trauma of coming out of a failed marriage that I identify with, or the fighting with an ex partner who feels the need to flex proverbial muscles over a child you bore together…but I love him and appreciated his words on that morning.

As I grow more and more into myself I enjoy the acknowledgement of these gifts to my Self; gifts I imagine I walked by so many times in my life. I am grateful to be here in this world, with those who surround and ease my path in this life I lead. It is  great to acknowledge to myself and my creator that the being here is both necessary and appreciated. I am suffused in Joy – some days more joyous than others – but Joy overflows, and I am so very happy to sit and let it wash over me.