Let it Shine - Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Lady Gaga

I'm getting ready for the Christmas Eve Yoga class at Shine. and there is a lot to use as inspiration at this time of year. I'm sure the students are expecting a sweet soulful class from me today. Do you think they will surprised when I start off talking about Lady Gaga?

I happened to catch a few minutes of one of her interviews this week. When she was asked what she thought of pop icon, Madonna, she replied with this, "I love Madonna. She is so brave. She was so brave.  Everyday when I'm working I think about bravery. You always have to push forward and be unafraid." Here's a link if you'd like to see the interview clip for yourself.  http://www.aoltv.com/2011/09/13/lady-gaga-madonna-inspiration-gaga-by-gaultier-video/

So, it turns out that I get more than ever, that all of her antics are on purpose. She wants to push the edge of what is acceptable so far that there is more space for everyone else to feel more free to be unique. She loves the quirkiness of life. She wants to have the freedom to be herself, she wants you to have that freedom too, and she's doing what she can to help people feel more comfortable in their own skin and to be more accepting of others. If that means she has to find the courage to put herself out there "On the Edge" for ridicule as well as admiration, she is willing to do it. (I realize there are a lot of people who won't agree with this viewpoint but I certainly think it's one worth considering.)

OK now what does this have to do with Christmas? I think a lot actually. If you look at all the holidays people are celebrating this week, they all involve the hope for freedom of some sort: freedom from the dark, freedom from despair, freedom from oppression, spiritual freedom, and freedom in general. All of the winter holidays share some quality of light overcoming dark. It takes courage and bravery to step into a dark place and shine your light because you never know what you are going to find there. But, when you do shine your light you will inevitably offer yourself up as a beacon of hope for others. Inside of you are so many valuable gifts just waiting to be ignited. Go on, shine your light. Don't hold back. Be brave and share your gifts with the world. It's true not everyone will like what you've got to give but there are others who are just waiting to be inspired by you to do the same. In the words of Gaga.... Baby You Were Born this Way!

For whatever holidays you are celebrating this month, I wish you the best.