Two of the organizing principles of the holiday of Chanukah are that the candles should be lit just as nightfall is starting, and should be displayed in the window. The idea behind this is that the candles are lit at a time when people are walking by, and displayed in a place where those passers-by can see them.
It’s a private ritual that is displayed publicly.
We are commanded to let our light shine from within to the outside world.
The point is to let others see our light.
This concept — to be seen in your light — gets thrown around a lot in spiritual circles and personal development groups. But what does it even mean?
To be seen in your light is not the same as being seen in your expertise, your knowledge, your authority, or your achievements.
Your light has nothing to do with what you do, what you’ve accomplished, or what you’ve learned.
These are the parts of ourselves that we typically desire to show the world. They are what we strive to show others as a way to mask our light.
Your light is the parts of yourself that you may try to hide in order to fit in and gain acceptance.
Your light is your quirkiness, your weirdness, the parts of yourself that others might not “get” or appreciate.
Your light is your essence. It’s your soul. Your very being. The spark of who you are.
Your light can also be your pain, your wounds, the cracks in your facade.
Allowing ourselves to be seen in our light can bring up fear.
To show people our truth is to invite rejection. Maybe they won’t want to be our friend, or our client.
For this reason, the act of displaying our light is an act of faith. It’s saying that even if publicly displaying my light brings on attacks or rejection, I’m not going to hide anymore.
The point of putting the candles in the window is to give light to the people passing by on the street.
The people walking in the darkness need us to shine our lights outward.
It does no good to anyone to keep the candles inside.
Love it? Hate it? What do you think? Don't hold back...