"Tu rayonnes" (You shine) by Anisha Jo

I discovered this beautiful song last week and have been playing it on repeat! I am participating in a global celebration of French music called Manie Musicale (a kind of March Madness) This annual bracket-style competition features 16 songs from around the world and more than 5000 schools from at least 25 countries are taking part.

Here is a translation of the first part of the song:

"You shine

You light up the world around you

You've got charm like no one else,

and you don't know it

When you hum

Even if no one can see it

You heal and forgive, just by being there" 

(disclaimer: translations never do a song justice!)

The song speaks to how each of us shine in our own way, whether we know it or not. For me, it speaks to how even on our "ordinary" days, when we don't feel like we do anything of significance, when we just go about our work, our play, our lives, that our presence and our being are enough, that our lights do shine for others, often without us even realizing it. 

I, like many I think, struggle with what I am supposed to be doing, with my purpose, with what comes next, with how I am bringing my light to those around me. On days when I struggle with frustration and patience (I teach Grade 4), I wonder how I am sharing my light and making any difference. 

What I am having to learn is how to let go and to just be, to step forward into each day and to bring my light and gifts to others as best I can for that day and to trust that my light is enough.

"What we call love, what we call joy

It shines around, all around you

What we call love, what we call joy

It's inside you

Life is a gift, happiness a choice

You shine!"

Each day, each moment, offers us new possibility if we are open, if we trust that we are where we are supposed to be, doing what we are supposed to do, being who God created us to be. If we can let go of our own agendas and take a step forward, we can bring our light into the world around us, being light for a better world.