Be the Light You Are …
“For there is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it. If only we're brave enough to be it.” Amanda Gorman, National Youth Poet Laureate from her poem “The Hill We Climb”
This week my heart was both “lightened” and “ignited” as I watched Amanda Gorman read her poem “The Hill We Climb” during the presidential inauguration. Her poise on such a stage as a 22 year-old was stunning, and I, as with millions of others, found myself captivated by this incredibly beautiful soul. The powerful, touching, and inspiring words she spoke were accentuated by the manner in which she spoke them. As a poet myself, I stand in awe.
As with all of our lives, there is much more to Ms. Gorman’s story than meets the eye, and her perseverance in overcoming life’s challenges can serve as an inspiration for us all. She is one of 3 children raised by a single mother. Due to chronic ear infections as a baby, she developed an auditory processing disorder and grew up with speech articulation impediment which made it difficult to pronounce certain words and sounds, which included the inability to pronounce the letter “R”. It was only 2 years ago that Ms. Gorman finally overcame this speech impediment through devoted practice, in part by reciting the lyrics to the musical “Hamilton” and in particular the song “Aaron Burr, Sir” over and over again.
Yet there she was, with all the insecurity she had to overcome, all the ridicule and teasing she likely encountered, all the hours of practice of her craft, putting on her “brave” to be a beacon of light through the reading of her poem for the entire world to hear. And she glowed … and left me glowing as well.
Her poem and story prompted me to recall a beautiful and relevant quote, though I cannot now locate its origins: “It is out of your wound that will come your Gift to the world.” I am so grateful that Amanda Gorman persevered in order to share the Light she knew was inside her with the world. And share she did. Indeed, it is from her “wound” of speech she that left the world speechless. We are better because of it. And now it’s our turn …
Take 6 minutes and allow your Soul to be lightened and ignited as well. Here is “The Hill We Climb.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI1c-Lbd4Bw