Diwali, a festival of light, has always been one of my favourite holidays. I have such fond childhood memories of homes being lit with diyas (lamps), the fire crackers, sparklers, and of course scrumptious sweets and food. It is a day we all come together to celebrate victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
We have continued this tradition with our families and children here in Canada. Nothing makes me happier then when this day happens to fall on the weekend and everyone is home. This time it has fallen on our wedding anniversary. How wonderful!! It seems as if the whole world is celebrating with us.
As I am pulling the diyas out of my cupboards, I think what this light really means. “The light of divinity”, I recall hearing as a child. But it may be evolution over centuries, as part of human survival strategy, that we always tend to look and focus outward. Today sitting in our beautiful homes with all the modern conveniences we do need to undo this perspective.
As we light the diyas, send wishes to our near and dear ones and feast with our families let us make a promise to let that light shine inwards. Let it reach all the dark spaces within us. All the spaces where we hold grudges, where we let anger reside, where we hold on to guilt, where anxiety and worry limit us. All these habits create nothing but darkness in our hearts and hold us back from receiving life’s greatest blessings.
Let us promise to quiet our minds, live from a place of love and let this light guide us to live with love, compassion and gratitude. Let the light shine so life can happen through us, not to us.
May the light shine within you..
Happy Diwali to all!
With Love,
Devinder ❤️
6 Comments
Sarah Garden
I have been learning quite a bit lately about Diwali. Do you all have special foods you make around this time of year?
Devinder Maan
Hi Sarah,
Diwali time is feast time. “Mithai”- the confectionery and desserts are a huge part of the celebrations. They are a part of gift giving, celebrations, religious offering, etc. In my family we make an authentic Indian dinner with lamb curry, okra, naan, etc. Our children have always loved “jalabi”- (a form of Indian sweets) so I have made that a family tradition. Thank you for the read. Really appreciate it.
Erica
Lovely post and Happy Diwali to you and your family!
Devinder Maan
Thank you so much Erica. Really appreciate your feed back.
Nicola
I absolutely agree, more than often many of us forget or ignore the light that shines within, which sometimes needs to be reignited.
Devinder Maan
You are right that light has to be reignited. Its so fun to decorate and enjoy the lights outwardly but turning that light inwards takes life to a whole new level. Thank you so much for reading. I look forward to this new connection.