Shine On: How to Share Your Light in a World That Sometimes Wants You Small

There’s a little stardust in us all.

In darkness, we shine.

Shine on, baby.

We each carry a light — a spark that’s uniquely ours. It’s the part of us that feels alive when we’re doing something that comes naturally, that lights us up, that feels like “home” in our own skin.

But somewhere along the way, we can forget how to let it shine.

What Does It Mean to Shine Your Light?

Shining your light means using your gifts unabashedly — for your own joy, for the good of others, or both. It means resisting the fear of being seen doing what you love:

• Dancing

• Singing

• Acting

• Playing

• Praying

• Speaking

• Moving

• Creating

• Guiding

• Smiling

• Cooking

Your light is yours. Your gifts are yours. They’re unique to you — valuable not only because of what they are, but because of who they come from.

Whether you are a mom, teacher, doctor, city official, artist, postal worker, child, elder, man, or woman — you contribute something no one else can.

Ways We Dim Our Light

We often dim our light without realizing it:

• Making ourselves small so others feel comfortable.

• Worrying about judgment, especially from the people we love most.

• Distracting or numbing ourselves to avoid the pull of our gifts.

• Feeling unfulfilled but not knowing why — even when everything “seems fine.”

This self-shrinking doesn’t just rob us of joy — it robs the world of what only we can give.

What Is Your Light?

The Akasha says your light is as unique as your DNA.We all carry this life force within us, but the way we express it — through words, actions, thoughts, and deeds — is endlessly distinct.

Your light might heal, guide, teach, encourage, inspire, or simply bring beauty into the world. And because of free will, there are infinite ways to share it. There is no single “right” way — just the way that is most true for you.

The real challenge?

Working through the fear of authenticity — the fear of showing up as our full selves.

How I Shine My Light

For me, sharing my light often looks like creating content that helps people find more peace, clarity, and self-compassion. Sometimes it’s through words, music, or images. Other times it’s through patience, humor, or affection.

I can be silly and sarcastic one day, deep and contemplative the next. I care deeply about others’ feelings — sometimes to the point where I forget my own. And when that happens, I’m no longer in my truth… and my light dims. I get irritable and resentful and well I am human too.

When Do You Dim Yours?

Notice the moments you hold back your feelings, swallow your words, or avoid expressing your truth.

Expressing yourself doesn’t mean blurting out every thought without care. True shining is a conscious expression of truth in a compassionate way. As a dear friend once told me:

“The truth may hurt, but it does not harm.”

Yes, how we say things matters. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be said.

Shine On

Your light is not meant to be hidden. Not for fear. Not for comfort. Not for anyone.

This little light of yours?

Let it shine — brightly, unapologetically, and in a way that feels like home in your own skin.

The world needs it. We need it. And most of all — you need it.

Shine on, baby. 🌟

-Ivana