“Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.” — Maya Angelou

I woke from a dream in which I kept receiving pearls to wear around my neck. They were gifts. At one point, Kamala Harris walked in quickly and bestowed a pearl necklace upon me. I was overwhelmed by the pearls, yet I felt proud and anxious to display them and tell my friends what had happened. I left the dream holding that contrast: a bit overwhelmed, and yet proud.

In understanding the dream in relationship to my life, I can see that there is a part of me that wishes to be appreciated while, at the same time, trying to hide. The dream seemed to signify that it is time for me to accept the power of my life. The fact that I was receiving the pearls instead of giving them may mean that I am finally ready to receive.

How does this correlate to the quote?

I’ve held back through much of my life, searching for recognition in others. I haven’t necessarily given that recognition to myself. Now it feels as though I am ready to polish my inner wisdom — to take everything I’ve been through and use it to shine in the world so as to help others find their own radiance.

“Nothing can dim the light that shines from within” admonishes me to stop holding back. To stop making excuses that cause me to play small.

I was playing music on my iPhone as I prepared for the meditation, and I happened to look down and see the words: “Stop pushing it away.”

There are no coincidences, only synchronicity.

Where in your life are you pushing your greatness away? Where are you hiding the pearl that has been through so much in order to appear in all its beauty?

Nothing can dim the light that shines within us. We are the only ones who can do that when we refuse to accept all of ourselves — all of our journey — all of it as the refinery that has brought forth that inner light, which is our own beautiful consciousness, our compassion, our greatness, our gift to the world.

Love and Aloha,

Rev. Dr. Rita Andriello-Feren, Author, Co-Founding Director CSL Kaua’i and the Institute of Magnificence