August 21, 2024

Hellooooo my beautiful humans!

Sorry for ghosting y’all last week - between traveling and drowning in pivot tables, I barely had time to breathe, let alone write. TRUST. YOU. ME. I’d much rather have been writing a quote for you instead of battling spreadsheets 😩

But hey, life happens, and sometimes it throws curveballs. Speaking of which, I saw this week’s quote (it’s actually a short poem, not a quote) pop up on one of your Instagram stories, and then a few of you sent it to me directly. Seems like y’all were practically begging me to write on it this week 😉 So here it is, in all of its glory:

“When a flashlight grows dim or quits working, do you just throw it away? Of course not. You change the batteries. When a person messes up or finds themselves in a dark place, do you cast them aside? Of course not! You help them change their batteries. Some need AA: attention and affection; some need AAA: attention, affection, and acceptance; some need C: compassion; some need D: direction. And if they still don’t seem to shine simply sit with them quietly and share your light.” - Rachel Dansby Freeman ✨

We’ve all been there, right? Okay, maybe not. I think we all use the flashlight on our phones now. But imagine: Fumbling around in the dark, flashlight in hand, only for it to start flickering or die out completely. What do we do? Toss it in the trash? Absolutely not! We swap out the batteries and get that light shining again.

Now, let’s flip that on its head and apply it to people. We all have those moments when our inner light starts to dim. Life throws a little too much our way, and suddenly, we’re not shining as brightly as we used to. Maybe we’ve messed up, or we’re just stuck in a rut or a dark place. The last thing anyone needs in those moments is to be tossed aside, right? What we need is someone to help us change our batteries.

And that’s where this poem really hits home. We all need different kinds of “batteries” depending on where we are and what we’re going through. Life isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither is the support we need to keep our inner light burning. The beauty of this metaphor is in its simplicity - just like how different devices need different types of batteries to work, we, too, require specific kinds of care depending on our situation.

AA: Attention and Affection: Sometimes, all we need is for someone to see us, really see us. Not just a passing glance or a half-hearted “How are you?” but genuine attention. It’s the kind of connection that says, “I’m here, and I care.” In a world that’s constantly buzzing with distractions, giving someone your undivided attention can feel like a rare and precious gift. Pair that with a little affection, a kind word, a reassuring touch, and you can lift someone’s spirits in ways you might not even realize. A little bit of love can go a long way, especially when someone feels unseen or unimportant.

AAA: Attention, Affection, and Acceptance: There are moments when we need more than just love; we need to feel accepted for who we are, flaws and all. It’s easy to love someone when everything is sunshine and rainbows, but true acceptance shines through when things get messy. Maybe we’re not at our best, or maybe we’ve made mistakes that we’re struggling to forgive ourselves for. In these times, knowing that someone accepts us just as we are, no conditions, no judgments, can be incredibly healing. It’s about being seen and loved for our whole selves, not just the polished parts we show to the world.

C: Compassion: When life gets really tough, compassion can be like a balm to the soul. It’s more than just feeling sorry for someone; it’s about putting yourself in their shoes, truly understanding their pain, and responding with kindness. Compassion is that deep, empathetic understanding that makes us feel less alone in our struggles. It’s saying, “I may not know exactly what you’re going through, but I’m here with you, and I’ll walk this road beside you.” It’s a gentle reminder that we don’t have to carry our burdens alone.

D: Direction: And then there are those times when we’re just plain lost. We don’t need someone to swoop in and fix everything, but we do need a little guidance, a nudge in the right direction, someone to help us find our way when the path seems unclear. Direction can come in many forms: a piece of advice, a shared experience, or even just helping someone take the first step toward change. It’s about providing that gentle push when someone is too overwhelmed to move forward on their own.

And here’s the kicker (and honestly, my favorite part of the poem) sometimes, no matter how many “batteries” you try, nothing seems to work. That’s when we need to remember the power of simply being there. Just sitting with someone in their darkness and sharing your light can make all the difference. You don’t have to fix them, solve their problems, prove to them that you can relate, or even say the right words. Just be there. JUST. BE. THERE. Sometimes, your presence is the light they need to find their way back.

We often underestimate the impact of simply showing up for someone. We think we need to have all the answers, to say the perfect thing, or to somehow make everything better. But the truth is, just being there, being a steady, comforting presence in someone’s life can be the most powerful gift we can offer. It’s about holding space for them, letting them know they’re not alone in their struggle, and offering your light when theirs has grown dim.

So, next time someone in your life is struggling, remember this poem. Instead of walking away or trying to fix everything at once, think about what kind of “battery” they might need. And if nothing else, just sit with them. Share your light. You never know how much that simple act could mean to someone.

Until next time, keep shining bright, my beautiful humans! 💛🌝

Trust your journey. Rest your soul. Always leave people better than you found them, and have a scintillating day and a brilliant weekend ahead! 👽🫶🏻🧿