A few summers ago, I was fortunate to stay at Prairiewoods for an artist’s retreat of blissful painting, reading and walking in the woods and prairie. But the surprise highlight of my five-day personal retreat emerged each night just before night fell.
At dusk that first night, I noticed some lights out the window in the north prairie. Discovering that they were fireflies, I turned off the lights to watch. I sat in amazement of this magical light show from a countless array of fireflies gathering to flash in the field. For all four nights, I sat in the dark for about an hour at sunset to be mesmerized by this ethereal, glittering glow of twinkling lights over the prairie.
I couldn’t help but reflect on this captivating light show of heavenly creation. It was truly wondrous, and I wondered about our own lights—how do we shine? This experience opened my eyes and raised many questions about my personal path, some of which I will share with you for your own introspection and illumination.
Fireflies know that they need to shine their lights—do you let your light shine? When do you shine, and are you using your God-given gifts to shine? Or are you withholding your gifts and hiding your light?
Fireflies shine at night no matter what has happened in the world or in our lives. Are you letting something get in the way of exploring and sharing your gifts?
The lights of fireflies are seasonal. Perhaps our “seasons” are opportunities—have you let them pass you by? Will you be ready and open when they come around again?
The tiny firefly flashes its lights in a particular pattern as a beacon for others of its own species. Where do you find your kindred spirits to help light up your soul, and are you making the effort to be with them?
After about an hour, the fireflies cease their flashes, knowing that they are done until the next night. The darkness is peaceful and calm; stillness blankets the area for human contemplation, appreciation and rest. And then the stars come out, as if the fireflies are lighting the way for the stars. What or who is lighting your way to your greatest good in order to share your gifts and light?
One last question: are you keeping your eyes open for inspiring experiences to help your light shine? Perhaps a Prairiewoods retreat could light the way along your personal path, as it has for me.
—Joni Reed Cooley, former Artist in Residence at Prairiewoods
(If you would like to go deeper along your own artistic path, be sure to consider The Artist’s Way Book Study Series that Joni will be offering at Prairiewoods starting Sept. 6.)
firefly photo from Wikimedia Commons