Billy Joel Beckons: Turn the Lights Back On

As I feel into Billy Joel’s reemergence into our collective consciousness, I am reminded that his anthem, “Turn the Lights Back On”, is a beckoning call for us all. Perhaps we have all been asleep in the darkness for far too long. And we have lost our way, not only to each other, but to our authentic selves. Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of beauty in the darkness. A time ripe for self-reflection toward our innermost awareness and potential to connect with our shadow side. Reclaiming the parts of ourselves that may have been lost or forgotten in the darkness. And yet, remembering when it is time to let some light back in (or out) and to reemerge toward others and the world, with newfound insight, is a powerful gift. Remembering that it is not an either/or of light or darkness, but an and/with that allows for integration and alignment toward fluidity and flexibility that our inner world and the outer world are not so separate. And that finding the harmony between them allows us to move through life with greater clarity and ease, bringing forth the gifts both offer.

Imagine a pond, during a storm. The grey clouds blocking the sunlight from illuminating the water. The muddy bottom stirred up, making the pond murky. What lies beneath is obscured. The darkness can be foreboding. We’re unable to see the beauty or the depth underneath. It doesn’t mean it is not there, it simply means we can’t see it until there is a settling of the storm. And what we can’t see may be scary for some. And so, they dare not wade in.

But, give it a bit of time. The storm always passes. The pond settles. Sunlight, that was once obscured by the clouds, reemerges and clarity returns. And with it, the ability to see a beautiful ecosystem thriving just beneath the surface. What was once too scary to explore, with calm illumination, courage and curiosity begins to pique.

When we slow down enough, to settle the ripples on the surface, whether it be a pond or our own inner landscape, our ability to see more clearly begins to emerge. We are able to approach situations with a more open mind and heart, bringing with it more clarity, confidence and courage. We live more in the present, instead of being hijacked from memories and wounds from our past. As scary as it may be to turn inward, to illuminate the darkness of your inner terrain, the light is a healing balm. It summons you to the present. And in the present, you can begin to see that whatever still lurks in the darkness of the past, you have survived. And knowing that, you can begin to heal.

I love the offer from Billy Joel: extending a beckoning to all of us to begin to wake-up by turning the lights back on. And making explicit the wounding of ourselves and others, to begin to reclaim the parts of ourselves that were left behind, forgotten or buried so deep, in an attempt to protect us from feeling the pain. And it is only through turning the lights back on, applying the soothing balm of illuminated awareness, will we be able to see, with clarity, the past from the present. And know our way forward is finding forgiveness through the warm glow of reconnection and love.  

It’s never too late to turn the lights back on…

I wish you strength and compassion as you turn your own light back on and begin to illuminate your beautiful inner world.