Light the opposite of dark yet they are the same — just different degrees. This is the principle of polarity. As the sun rises the darkness begins to fade away. As the sun sets light begins to fade yet it is all the same cycle — the same principle of polarity — neither is good or bad "it just is" — it is how it affects you, which makes it seem good or bad to you. Let us look at how you can work with this principle of polarity using light to lighten up your life.

How can you light your home to light your life? Technically and professionally there are several kinds of light. There is what is called "task lighting", lighting under which you perform a certain task such as reading, wood working, cooking, or perhaps doing a puzzle on a game table. You need this extra light on your task at hand to see well. There is what the industry calls "mood lighting". Lighting that creates a mood for example lights dimly lit on a shelf or on a bookcase that gives off a soft, subtle light to a room. Lights with dimmers can be used to create a mood. Candlelight is perhaps the most romantic for creating an intimate mood. Soft lights in a garden area on a special tree would be another example of mood lighting. Lighting the pathway would be an example of task lighting. There is also "general lighting", where the intention is to light up big areas to give an overall light to a space. Such examples of this might be overhead kitchen lighting or office lighting in the ceiling which lights up the whole room, One would place a task light on each desk in the office or over the kitchen sink or counters. All of the above lighting is important when designing a lighting plan for your home.

But my intention with this article is to get you thinking about possible ways you can intentionally use light to improve situations in your life. It is medically noted that sunlight helps with peoples’ health and disposition in countries where sunlight is scarce during the winter months. If you are feeling blue or fearful or blah, bring more light into your home. Natural light is the best. Some ways to better bring in natural light are to have higher windows and skylights. Where natural light can’t penetrate or on rainy days or evenings, choose full spectrum bulbs in your lighting. Though slightly more expensive, these bulbs are as close as you can get to natural light. They reduce eyestrain and increase productivity and creativity. Bring light to those dark corners in your home. Allow the light you bring into your home to reflect the light you want to feel inside yourself. Look at hallways and paths that you walk in your home. Observe where you spend a lot of time and look to see what is the area like in terms of lighting. If you have lamps with 60 watt bulbs try using a higher wattage if the lamp allows. Do not forget those dark closets. Sometimes these dark corners or closets have a way of subtly depressing us without us even being aware of it.

Mirrors are a way of reflecting light and bringing more light into your space (Louie the IV had his great hall of mirrors and was called the Sun King). They can open up a dark hallway or bring life to a closet when you open the door. I love to hang crystals in some of my sunnier windows. When the sun shines through them and sends the rainbows all over the room I imagine that the sun is doing the same for me — breaking up the darkness into rainbows of light. It may sound corny but so much is of our thinking — where our mind goes our vibration and happiness follow. If you can raise your vibration to a healthier stance you will find your attitude and life will change for the better. The more light the better. But know that even this has it opposite too. For too much light can blind you — as when you look at the sun too long. For example, you would not want to go to bed with blazing lights on in your face. You do not want to have so much light that you become over charged and loose your balance again. You will know what feels right for you. Be aware that mental changes can happen when you think about this principle of polarity — Sadness to happiness, fear to courage, hate to love. Try working with it. Give yourself a light lift!