Everything Is Light
a lesson on writing and recovery from physics
Before kids and sleepless nights and gray hairs, on one of our first dates, my husband explained to me how light works.
He is a physicist and knows a lot of things (he will willingly tell you this – love you, honey).
Not your typical budding romance conversation, but I was into it. The writer in me, swooning. Light is the most beautiful metaphor. For life, for love, for writing, and recovery.
“In order to see, there must be light. Light shines on an object, then bounces off, or reflects, back to our eyes.”1
Unlike sound waves, light waves can traverse even through space. Moving through empty places, traveling. These waves, termed electromagnetic waves, consist of a blend of electricity and magnetism. They travel exceptionally fast, approximately 186,000 miles or 300,000 kilometers per second. This means that a beam of light can circle the Earth roughly 7.5 times in a single second.2
Now, tell me this science lesson doesn’t make your jaw hit the floor. I think even Bill Nye the Science Guy would be amazed and proclaim to the heavens: “What?!?”
In recovery, I’ve often heard this phrase from loved ones:
“The light in their eyes is back.”
Walk into any recovery space and you’ll find this to be true.
There is a luminescence. A shining. From light to light, people in recovery share their hope with each other, sometimes with words, often times by just showing up and living their lives.
What my hunky, scientist husband reminds me is that the very make up of our bodies is light. Our souls, too. And when we are connected with a greater Light, I believe that we can shine.
In the book of Matthew after the Beatitudes, Jesus says:
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
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Addiction recovery expert and author, Caroline Beidler, MSW explores facets of recovery like mental health, supporting loved ones with addiction, trauma, and more. Pull up a chair.
