Share Your Sunshine

We live in a chaotic world; a world where we’re surrounded by horrors, tragedy, and sadness. Each week, I find myself wondering how did things get so bad? Then the following week something even worse happens that highlights the ugliness of the world. In times like these, it’s our responsibility to continue striving to make the world a more beautiful, loving, and happy place. Within every person exists a special gift that brings joy to other people. Maybe you’re great at telling jokes and breaking up tense situations. Perhaps you’re a logistical master and can help others see the way out of the toughest situations. Whatever your gift is, it’s your own personal brand of sunshine and you have a responsibility to share your sunshine with others. Doing so makes the world a better place. And in times like these, we must do what we can.

Discovering Your Sunshine

Maybe you already know what your sunshine is or perhaps your still honing in on your superpower. My sunshine is my enthusiasm. Whether it’s waking up in the morning, going for a walk, taking on a new project, or going on an adventure, I’m excessively enthusiastic about it. I don’t know where it comes from, but it’s always been there inside of me. So, what’s your superpower? Maybe you haven’t discovered your sunshine yet? If you’re looking for your sunshine the best place to start is by asking yourself what about you most commonly brings a smile to the face of others. It could be your laugh, or your ability to listen and absorb the burdens of those around you, possibly it’s a talent like singing or dancing. Whatever your sunshine may be, it brings light to others.

The Responsibility of Your Sunshine

While we all have sunshine, with great power also comes great responsibility. Life isn’t easy; a good mood can turn bad in an instant. We can be overtaken with negative feelings like anger, greed, envy, annoyance, or countless others, but why waste our time with these emotions? When negative feelings arise who do they serve? No one. Letting negative feelings defeat your goodness, not only hurts you, but it spreads negativity into the universe instead of sunshine. People who know me well expect my enthusiasm when they see me and when it’s not there the world seems off. Not only is my day bad, but I spread my negativity to those around me. When negative feelings arise, we have a choice to let them overtake us or we can fan out the flame with the power of sunshine. When I feel negativity approaching, I ask myself a few things:

Whatever happened to spark the negativity is it worth the dark cloud covering your day?
Is it worth being selfish? Letting the negativity win diminishes your positivity and the joy you spread into the world. Haven’t you heard a smile is contagious? Try it for yourself. On your next morning commute smile at everyone you pass. Not everyone will smile back, but you’ll be spreading feelings of goodwill. Taking the time to smile at a stranger may change the trajectory of their entire day and it costs you nothing.
How can you defeat the negativity? Sometimes I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. Other times I turn on Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, or Prince. A song with a lively beat that makes me want to dance can turn my mood around instantly. The point is you have the power to turn a dark cloud into sunshine. You just need to know yourself well enough to do it.

Once you find your superpower and then learn how to command your sunshine you have a responsibility to share it. People, especially those close to you, will come to rely on your sunshine. If it’s not there, not only is your day bad, but it impacts theirs as well. Your sunshine is not only your gift but a gift to others. Use it. Share it. “Be the change you want to see in the world.”