Do your people light your path?

Do you surround yourself with people who light your path? Who, when life gets dark, shine hope and offer you comfort? Have you noticed how your mood can lift instantly when you are with people who nourish you as a person?

Do you remember what you can see, hear and feel the last time you had a really good belly laugh? Or a naturally flowing conversation? Can you remember feeling at ease, relaxed, calm, warm, happy, free, comfortable, confident, excited? Just being in your own skin, relishing the moment of living your true self? 

Can you name the person or people who lift you; are by your side; have your back; are always there for you; who offer encouragement; support your own personal growth; motivate you; inspire you; the ones you can have deep and meaningful conversations with; or the ones who make you inwardly smile or laugh out loud? The ones you hold in high mutual respect - the ones you can give back yourself and your time freely? The ones that, at the drop of a hat, you will be by their side, and vice versa?

Could one of your relationships be improved?

Do you have personal or work relationships that you will like to improve communication and reduce conflict?

Here is an opportunity to do a bit of role play in your mind's eye.

1. Consider your perspective

Step into your own shoes and imagine the other person standing in front of you.

What can you see and hear? What are you thinking and feeling? What do you want the other person to understand?

2. Imagine their perspective

Next, imagine stepping into the other person’s shoes and looking at the interaction through their eyes.

What might they see, hear, think or feel? What concerns, needs or experiences could be influencing their response?

Remember that you are imagining possibilities rather than discovering exactly what is happening in their mind. The only way to understand their perspective more accurately is to listen and communicate with them.

3. Become an observer

Finally, mentally step away from the interaction and observe it from a distance, like a fly on the wall.

Watch the relationship from different angles and ask yourself:

• What do I notice?
• What might I be overlooking?
• What am I learning?
• What advice would I give myself?
• What could I do differently next time?

When you are ready, return to your own perspective and consider how you could apply what you have noticed.

Taking these different positions may help you see the relationship from a fresh perspective. It can also encourage you to take responsibility for the changes within your control without assuming responsibility for the other person’s behaviour.

Who's your tribe?

You may feel you have nobody or a thousand people surrounding you, and may still feel lonely and isolated. The right people or person for you can come in many forms: friends, family, loved ones, neighbours, meeting like-minded people through hobbies, groups or exercise classes, taking a walk in nature, in books or quotes, in motivational speakers or inspiring people on the internet, even in uplifting or calming songs! The list is endless when you think about it.

Now, go shine your unique light, so that the right people can find you. Surround yourself with the people who wish to freely and happily give their light to you and enhance your brilliantly bright path. 

Signing off by singing: "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!"