When it feels like you don't know who you are, or what you are like - there are clues around you to find answers to your questions.
I have a thing about lights. I also love a good metaphor, and got to thinking about what kind of light I am?
If I were a lamp post, what does that say about me? Stable, steady, trustworthy, sometimes a bit up on the air, pedestrian, easily ignored, put in the ground to do a specific job. To bring light to dark streets, where people are perhaps feeling a bit scared of the dark. A safe spot to look into the dark and get your bearings.
But I also like to think of myself as a lamp post in a forest. You might be able to take a guess at my favourite book from this line of thought. A familiar light in an unfamiliar place. There is danger there, but there is also wonder and adventure and joy. Like the lamp post in ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ That light is the first point the children come to, and from there they can explore all that Narnia has to offer. Battles, beauty, sacrifice and love, Good and Evil.
I have always struggled with the question - Who am I? (I’m still working on it). A thought I found helpful was that the objects we are drawn to, tell us a lot about ourselves. What we surround ourselves with, how we dress, or decorate our home, favourite colours, films, books, all give us information about ourselves. You know what you like, this can help you figure out more about who you are. If I asked you - what kind of light are you? What image pops into your head?
Trust yourself, you might not like the image straight away, but ask yourself how it relates to who you are? Where you are at right now. The important thing is to work it out for yourself. This isn’t a magazine quiz, where I tell you what you are like by the light you choose. It’s about exploring how you see yourself. There are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers, just a chance to explore, to wonder.
Light doesn’t have to be safe, fire gives light, explosions are very bright. Even if you are feeling dark - I bet there’s a light metaphor that will appeal to you. Counselling is often a space where you get to know and accept more of yourself, even the bits you don’t like. When you accept more of who you are, you can then choose to change or not.
So I ask you - What kind of light are you?
New Dawn Counselling Centre got it's name from a type of light, Sunrise. we believe everyone can have a New Dawn, and what sometimes feels like an ending is just the beginning. If you would like to find out more about our services, have a look at our website https://www.newdawncounselling.org or contact us via email - newdawncounsellingcentre@gmail.com or give us a call on 0115 9170500.