What Is Radiance?

Have you ever met someone who puts off a light and warmth that draws you to their energy? It may seem that they radiate something special. Most likely that radiance is health and vitality. They are living in balance with their spirit and body. As a tantra facilitator, I have come to realize that joy is the essence of life and radiance is the light and warmth that joy emanates. We all want a radiant presence but how do we obtain it? First, what is radiance?

By definition, radiance is light reflected by someone or something. When used as a noun, it means happiness, beauty, or good health that you can see on someone's face. It is a type of glow that a person emits from an inner light source that comes from within. In order to embody this resplendence, you have to nurture yourself in a caring and healthy manner. It is much more than eating a salad and staying hydrated. You have to make sure you are making choices that support you on the following pillars:

*Health and physical wellness;

You have to understand your body's needs. Your body wants to move, exert energy, and be challenged. Your body also needs adequate rest, sleep, and relaxation. What are you choosing to fuel your body with? We have lost touch with the importance of eating food that nurtures us. Food that is truly medicine, food of the earth, that grows from the ground, not from a box, can, or packed with hormones and synthetic ingredients. It is not healthy to drink, smoke, or eat your worries away. You have to find balance and cultivate true health.

The healthier your body, the easier it is to find happiness. You need to build a line of communication between the wellness of your body and your mind. It is called a mind-body connection and it is extremely important. Your body sends out signals to you all the time. The question is, are you listening? Often we hear what the body is saying but we are not taking action and addressing the signals. It is a good idea to create a ritual or weekly practice just to check in with how you feel in the body. Maybe set a doctor's appointment and discuss that nerve pain that is keeping you from exercising. Schedule your dental cleaning that you have been putting off. If your body is telling you something, stop what you are doing and listen, then take action. Your body is extremely intelligent. Follow this link more information on a mind-body connection.

*Mental Health;

Mental health is absolutely necessary for living a happy and fulfilled life. It includes our psychological, emotional, and social well-being and influences how we think, feel, and manage our lives. Learning meditation techniques and breathing exercises helps create a healthy nervous system and soothe the anxiety of this hectic world. Learn to be mindful of your stimuli; what you watch and listen to sends signals out through your energetic body and therefore has a direct effect on your nervous system.

If you stay glued to the state of the world with all the gloom and doom being thrown at you, most likely you will be anxious. Change the world by taking care of yourself and then help others do the same, simply by being a peaceful presence. We need more peaceful souls in the world. Watching and listening to programs and things that keep you in a sympathetic state holds joy and happiness hostage. These tools of mindfulness build connection between the mind and body. Mental health is such a vital piece of the radiance puzzle.

*Being Positive & Kind;

You need to realize that you create the reality in which you live. If you look at life with optimism, it is a much happier life. Being positive and optimistic does not mean that you are oblivious to misfortune, harm, or hurtful acts. It means that you understand these things will pass and ask yourself what lesson is in this for me moving forward. It means looking at situations for what they are and either changing them in a way that suits you or letting them go. Do not get attached to drama.

Negative people are not attractors; they repel, and their constant negativity will have an accumulative effect on your physical, spiritual, and mental health. For some, optimism and positivity take practice in order to become a natural go-to, but it can happen with a willing spirit and practice. To start a positive practice, you need to find all that you are grateful for and then give thanks. Being kind is an act of love not just to others but also to yourself. Do not be stingy with kindness; hand it out freely and watch it be returned to you. These acts ripple out into the world and impact others in ways you may never know.

*Spirituality;

Spirituality is very personal and a broad concept with room for many perspectives. In the simplest terms, it means believing that something exists that is greater than yourself. Believing that there is more than the human experience. Believing that we are all part of something cosmic or divine in nature.

Spirituality helps us cope with changes and challenges; it provides us with a sense of safety even though we do not have answers we may seek. Spirituality is mystical and magical and helps you feel a higher sense of purpose, peace, hope, and meaning in life. Spirituality also provides a moral compass and helps provide direction when you can't seem to find your way. Your spirit is your soul's blueprint; it is uniquely all your own. It is the essence of energy that lives within you. It is also the part of you that understands we are all connected. Having a spiritual practice enriches your life more than you can imagine and most certainly brings joy and radiance to a world that needs it.

To incorporate these pillars into your daily routine may require some reordering and adaptations. Oftentimes, you may need guidance from someone who has experienced them firsthand. Having experienced the happiness and energy I now possess, I cannot imagine returning to the previous stress in my life. If you wish to achieve a similar equilibrium in your own life, please arrange a consultation.

Also, please check out my newest workshop, Core Principles, coming in a few weeks.

Namaste,

Cathy Lighton