holes.

We all have holes inside of us. Emotional wounds that have yet to heal. Some are there because of something someone else did, and many are the result of our own actions. Either way, they're there, and I'm here to tell you that we can't afford to waste anymore energy thinking about the why or who's fault it is.

First let me say this:

I do believe it's important to understand where our holes come from and why, but that can only get you so far--and it's not very far, trust me. I know this because I've spent the last year looking at why I have holes only to look back and see that its gotten me nowhere. I'm still here, and the holes are still there--gapping. So now? Now it's time to stop focusing on the WHY. Why? Because the energy we posses is so, so valuable and unfortunately it's not unlimited. We can only give our energy to so many things and the WHY of our wounds should no longer be a recipient. It's time we invest more into WHAT we are going to do about it and HOW. 

WHAT?

So now that you're done with the why (because you are...right??), you have 2 options. Choose wisely. 

1. Walk around life like a wounded bird. 

or 

2. Fill those holes with light and let it help you guide others

*HINT: Pick the 2nd option

HOW?

I think light comes from God. So essentially I'm telling you to fill yourself with God, but I realize that seems daunting or unrealistic for some of you. To be honest, when I think of it like that, it seems like too big of a task for me too. I feel like I'm too far away and too unworthy to be filled with God's light.  But then I realize I'm looking at it all wrong. I may not feel worth of God right now but I can and should feel worthy to DO Godly things. Once you start doing more of these things, you realize you're a lot closer to Him than you thought, and his light will flood your wounded soul pretty quickly. Here are a few ways to do this: 

Love everyone--and I mean EVERYONE. Not just the nice people and not just those who are easy to love. Yep, you gotta love the annoying people too. 

Serve others. Service doesn't have to be manual labor. Service can be as simple as writing a note to someone who is going through a hard time. 

Be full of gratitude. Actively seek for things throughout your day that you are grateful for. Even something as small as someone holding the door open for you. Write a few of these things down each night. Or simply say a prayer thanking God for these things. 

Love yourself in the NOW. We have to stop saving our self-love for our future, more perfect, more fit, more organized, more successful selves. We must love who we are right now or we won't have a reason to heal and improve. 

Forgive all people.  Just remember, forgiveness is a heavy task, but its lighter than holding a grudge. 

And the last idea I'm going to give seems strange but I can almost feel light flooding my soul when I do it...

SMILE MORE! Especially at strangers. It seems weird, but I can't tell you how many times my day was brightened when a stranger simply smiled at me. It's such an easy way to let God's light shine through you. 

These are just a few ways we can fill ourself with light, but I know there are more! If you have other ideas, I would love it if you left it in a comment below!

This is a picture I took over the weekend in Southern Utah. Its actually what inspired this post. Thanks for reading it!