The Encouragement of Light
Today, I begin with Rumi…
How did the rose ever open its heart
And give to this world all its beauty?
It felt the encouragement of light against its being.
Otherwise, we all remain too frightened.
I share these four exquisite lines because in them, Rumi offers us not just poetry but a map to our own Soul. In order for the rose to come into her full expression, she needed to feel loved, seen, and nurtured. She needed the light of encouragement (that gentle push from the universe) and the grace of understanding. Essentially, what she needed was to know that she mattered. And the same holds true for each of us.
As many of you know, my teachings are deeply rooted in practices that encourage personal empowerment. The empowerment I am most passionate about however, is not one of external achievement or superficial power. It is sacred empowerment — a profound inner strength that arises from living in alignment with our highest values and deepest truths. At its core, sacred empowerment is the practice of integrity, which calls us to embody our truest selves in thought, word, and deed. It is about cultivating the courage to honor our own inner wisdom while navigating the world with grace and authenticity.
To live in true integrity, we must cultivate a healthy sense of self — one that honors our lived experience and inner truth. Without this foundation, we risk surrendering our power to the shifting judgments and often unconscious criticisms of others. As Dr. Wayne Dyer wisely stated, “We must learn to become independent of the good opinion of others,” and, by extension, their negative judgments as well. Who we are is not something to be bartered or diluted for the sake of acceptance. Each of us is here with a sacred purpose, a contract written into our very being. And like the rosebud, we are whole and perfect in our own unique unfolding.
And yet, as Rumi’s rose reminds us, she could only fully express herself when she felt safe, held by the steady presence of light. It was not force that brought her into bloom but tenderness and trust. In much the same way, our own growth depends on compassion and understanding. Like the rose, we require a sense of inner safety to soften, unfold, and show up fully. And while receiving kindness and compassion from others is undoubtedly nourishing, its most transformative power emerges when we learn to offer those same graces to ourselves. This is what creates the space for healing, for growth, and for remembering the truth of who we are.
For many of us, however, offering ourselves the same compassion and acceptance we so readily extend to others can feel unfamiliar, if not uncomfortable. But self-love is not a singular moment; it's a gradual unfolding. It often begins with something as simple as paying attention to the way we speak to ourselves, and over time, this awareness can grow into a more supportive and respectful relationship with who we are. As Louise Hay once said, “You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.”
So, my (light) encouragement for each of you is to commit to finding ways that honor your own unique expression without the impulse to judge or criticize. “Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” Start small if you have to, but commit to staying a few steps ahead of the usual doubt and criticism. And if it catches up, simply turn around, acknowledge it, and then dismiss it with grace. This is the practice of integrity — this is the light of your own encouragement.
May the light reach you, and may you know how valuable you are.
With encouragement,
Amber