beyond the light

creating play in unexpected places

There used to be a huge light in Parade Square.

It shone on the oldest church in town across from City Hall.

It was placed on the ground, not a post.

In our youth, Dick and I discovered how it would throw massive shadows up the face of the church.

Now, some people resist their shadows. They prefer only what they can find in the light.

Our shadows though?

They weren’t something to be frightened of. They were there to be played with.

Before people would make hearts with their hands and took cleaver pictures for socials to show people how ‘full their lives were’, Dick and I would make eyeballs. Shadow eyeballs.

They were easy to do. We stood in a place that when we held our hands over our heads, our arms created an ‘eye’ shape. Our heads were the pupils. The entrance to the church? That was the nose and mouth.

Together, working with the light, Dick and I would regularly transform this old church into a living creature. We’d make it look to the left. We’d make it look to the right. We’d make the church go cross eyed and out again.

When pretty girls walked by, we’d wink - first me, then Dick. People didn’t usually notice our shadow play. Wink, cross eyes, blink! I suppose some may have found us odd standing there bathed in the light holding our arms over our heads laughing our asses off.

But that’s what happens when you play with your shadow. That’s the power in a shadow. People might find your shadowy aspects strange. People might find your shadow play down right disturbing.

But the best way to approach our darkness?

It’s with levity and a sense of playful humour.

Blink!

Wink!

Cross your eyes!

Live more with and in the shadows you create everyday.

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Here’s a challenge:

Share a story of a shadow that you’ve worked with and integrated in your life.

Send it to me via email by replying to this message.

I’ll publish it here on the blog.