look for the light

Some might recognize this quote from the movie Pollyanna. I recently rewatched this movie and was deeply inspired by the way Pollyanna looked for the good in every situation and especially in every person. The people in the town were transformed by her perspective. Our thoughts and expectations can be more powerful than we realize. What struck me is that it wasn't merely positive thinking. Pollyanna genuine looked for the good in each situation, even if she needed to stretch a bit and she felt the benefit of that effort. Then gradually those around her began to feel the effects as well. They weren't instantly won over but with a bit of persistence, they began to see and feel the benefit of the "glad game" as she called it.

I still remember taking the first course in Education for Life through the online training program. The instructor gave us our homework assignment the first week: look for the light. We were to look for moment of lightness and childlikeness, moments of natural excitement, enthusiasm and joy in our classrooms.

At the time I had this one rather exuberant little girl in one of my yoga classes who always seemed to be doing something other than what we were doing - upside down when we were right side up. Standing when we were laying down. Lying on the floor when we were moving around. Dancing or singing through the whole class. I laugh now at my reaction then. Initially I was annoyed and looking for a way for her to join the group more. Then, once I started this assignment, I began to see her behavior in a whole new way. She wasn't misbehaving or annoying. Her behavior was just energy and there was a natural joy and enthusiasm behind it. When I started to follow her lead a bit, the whole class took on a more joyful and light energy. 

That one simple technique of looking for the light has allowed me to become more curious and open to learning from whatever is unfolding in my classes, rather than trying to control the outcome. Light and energy seem to have their own way of unfolding and leading us just where we need to go.