Here Comes the Sun

Many years ago, singer Sheryl Crow offered what I think is some profound —and

perfect — wisdom for the start of summer

“I’m gonna soak up the sun…

...gonna tell everyone to lighten up…”

C’mon now…it doesn’t get more summery than that, right? Just look at yesterday’s Summer Solstice, heralding summer’s first day — is all about lightening up! As the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, it is the one day with the most hours of light! Many of the world’s oldest cultures have seen this day as the perfect opportunity for a big ol’ celebration. From the ancient pagan origins of the sunrise gatherings at Stonehenge, England that still happen today, to the harvest and fertility rituals of the indigenous people of the Americas, people have believed that celebrating the Light around us helps us remember the Light that is within us.

You know what else is a big ol’ party in June? If you guessed LGBTQ+ Pride, you get a rainbow star!

Like the celebration of the Solstice, Pride is another celebration of the Light inside of us, and expression of that Light to the world outside of us. Pride marks the anniversary of the June 28, 1969 police raid on the Stonewall Bar in New York City, when a small but mighty group of the bar’s LGBTQ+ patrons said ENOUGH to the routine raid on their gathering spot and the institutionalized intimidation and abuse. As news of the defiant Stonewall patrons spread throughout the city and the country, LGBTQ people everywhere took to the streets, and the Pride movement was born. From the dark closet of shame, came the liberation of the Light…

Today, Pride festivities take place in cities all around the country and the world. Parades, dances, performances not only celebrate the courage, tenacity and spirit of the LGBTQ+ community, they inspire all of us to live authentically, love ourselves completely, and step into our Light.

It’s our Joyful June. Its Summer! And yes. On many days the state of our world might feel overwhelmingly chaotic and perhaps even dark — certainly the opposite of a liberating summer experience that should be celebrated.

But isn’t this the exact time that we need illumination? Isn’t this the perfect opportunity to “soak up the sun,” and to help everyone “lighten up” themselves?

And, isn’t it empowering when we realizing that we can BE — that we ARE— the Light?

And once again, I find myself admiring Ms. Crow for her empowering insight about BEING the LIGHT.

“I've got no one to blame -

For every time I feel lame —

I’m looking up…

Gonna soak up the Sun!”

So let's make our own plan...whenver we are feeling “lame,” or dark…or not enjoying the glorious shine of the summer sun, we can take Sheryl Crow's sage advice:

Look up,

Soak up,

LIGHTEN UP!