It looks really different in the light

Yesterday concluded our mother/daughter NYC trip, and goodness did we have a great time. Our feet were like limp noodles; our bellies full of bagels, pizza, and cheesecake; our brains were on overdrive from all of the lights, sounds, and smells of the city... and we couldn't be happier. 

As we waited at the bus stop for our return trip home yesterday morning, Mikayla made an observation that made me pause and really think. 

We were standing in the exact spot where we had stood when we arrived, but there was a big difference. 

We arrived in the city at about 10:30pm, with the sun long gone and the sky pitch black with only the lights from the buildings and billboards.

Our bus departure was 11am, in the full light of day -- blue sky, sun shining, the world in full color. 

Standing in line, Mikayla said, "It looks really different in the light. When we got here, I was super scared because it was all dark and it felt creepy. But now it's not even bad!"

She was right. The night we arrived, there was hardly anyone out on the sidewalks (where the bus stop was, at least) and the streets were dark. We've seen way too many movies and TV shows to think we were totally safe. We clung tightly to our bags and anxiously counted the minutes until our Uber arrived (with me putting on my brave face and pretending everything was alllllll good). 

But in daylight, people were walking their babies and cute city dogs, bikers pedaled down the street, delivery trucks made their rounds, and vendors were on every corner. The city was in motion, and we didn't feel like we were going to be featured in an opening scene of Law and Order. 

In the dark, all we had was our limited view and whatever popped into our imaginations.

In the light, we had much more visibility, and many more familiar stories to work with.

This has a strong life-connection. 

Without light, our lives look really different. Circumstances seem scarier (sometimes with good reason), and we're on constant high alert -- even if we pretend not to be. 

With light, we can be still. We can feel more peace. We have much more that we can rely on. 

The same exact situation can look either manageable or absolutely hopeless, depending on the amount of light we have in the mix.

If something is feeling dismal, add some more light and see if it makes a difference. I have a hunch it will... even possibly a night-and-day difference.