Burn Brightly (w/audio)

Michele Lee

Sep 17

It supports life. Without it we would cease to be. Too much of this life-giver and we would be burned to smithereens. A just right balance gives us daily light and nature's harmony. We feel its heat, but for us and billions of future generations, its greatest intensity will remain out of reach. To that we can sigh in relief.

For all its larger-than-life life-giving properties the bright one above does have its limitations. It may burn over 10,000 degrees, but passionate love it will never feel. Extended from its surface are warm rays, but the loving arms of another, it will never embrace. It cannot think, change its mind, or sleep in. It has been worshiped and structures have been precisely built in its honor to capture aligned positions, but with a friend it can never share a hearty laugh or a genuine listen.

I am here to remind you; your brilliance is brighter than the sun. Let your light expand like a red giant. Never fear that your shine will be too intense for those who are near. You may ruffle their feathers, but you will never scorch their edges. You may be the shine they need on a dark day. If they don't like it, they can simply move or click away. Burn brightly, brilliant one, before your flame is done.

"There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age."

― Sophia Loren

I've been trying some new dance classes in the Valley of the Sun. Performance is not my goal, although to that, I would not say no. I am expanding my horizons while strengthening my core and flexing my toes. On learning and growing, I will never give up. I am stepping out and stepping up! To one of these classes, I arrived early Wednesday night. My urge to stay in the back, I did fight. I threw prudence to the wind. I took flight! Bold me found the last spot in the front row. Brave me, I know! Regulars can be territorial and these routines, I don't know. Missteps be damned! I will let my light glow! A few did size me up as people sometimes do, but once the music began mostly, I saw intense concentration on focused faces. I resisted my urge to stay small or play serious. It is joy I find in musical spaces. I became the music. I became one with the instructor's steps. I spun joyfully and freed my hips. I caught my reflection staring back at me – sparkling radiance and sweat! The lady next to me caught it too. My smile became her smile. Ahhh, there it is. Bliss!