What do you see first the light or the dark?

For the Sunday reflection, a question was asked of me this morning.  

Are you focusing on the light or the dark? It's a good one, right? What do you notice first in the world around you? The bad bits or the good bits?

Our world is complex, full of conflict, but also overflowing with beauty and wonder. The magic lies in where we choose to place our attention. When we focus on appreciating the good, we feel better about ourselves and the world we live in. And when we feel good, we can do good, be good, and change the not-so-good around us.

This episode is about mastering our thoughts instead of being slaves to them. Yes, we can see the negativity and the ugliness, but we can also open our eyes and hearts to the beauty. It's not just about seeing; it's about being and doing. When we act from a place of generosity and openness, we feel good about ourselves and positively impact the world around us.

Finding joy in everything we do, even in mundane tasks like cleaning a toilet, can bring satisfaction. Knowing that someone else will appreciate what you've done can bring a sense of joy. Giving our best to the world attracts the best in return. So, how can you start this journey? It's a bit like practising gratitude. When you catch yourself finding fault, consciously look for beauty. Ask yourself, "Where is the beauty in this?"

Today marks the autumn equinox in the UK, a time of equal day and night. While the nights will start drawing in, there's a unique beauty in the autumn colors and the freshness in the air. There's beauty in change, even when it means saying goodbye to summer. For our friends in the southern hemisphere, it's the first day of spring, a time to look forward to summer. 

We have a choice in how we view the world. The media often highlights the dark side because it grabs our attention, playing on our innate need for security. But we need to guard against this and choose to see the light. There's always something to be joyful about, even in the greatest challenges. It could be as simple as a good cup of coffee or a stranger's smile.

By expressing the best of ourselves and acknowledging the best in the world, we become role models for others. We help them see the beauty they might have missed. So, give it a try. There's no magic tool, just a conscious choice to look for the good. If you find it difficult, keep looking—it's there. Nature is a great place to find beauty and wonder; it carries on regardless of our actions.