The Reach of your Shadow

It's Groundhog day!

Overshadowed (*pun intended*) by the Superbowl aftermath - and at the elementary school level today - tons of talk by excited students about Katy Perry's half time show :)

What I find significant about Groundhog day and the emphasis on seeing or not seeing a shadow - is the shadow itself.
Whether we know it or not - our footprint is not just the size of our shoes, especially if we think in terms of our digital footprint. We cast a shadow (metaphorically speaking) - or leave a footprint wherever we are.

I've been mulling on this idea of shadows and reflection for a few weeks and today is the perfect day to share my mulling:

1. A matter of perspective:

 Don't you love it how you can appear "larger than life"? I actually enjoy the slimming effect a shadow can have :) Our view of the world, of ourselves and of others are all a matter of perspective and relation. A reflection in a shadow is an outline of who we are - not detailed like a mirror- but a lot easier to look at! When doing some life coaching last year I reminded my "clients" to spend some mirror time. They had to work up to being able to look themselves in the eye, and have some honest conversations with themselves before they could look at the rest of themselves with any kind of acceptance. This was not an easy assignment for those already struggling with self image.

Yet our reflection in the shadow doesn't have those details - those intimate qualities that we sometimes hide from ourselves and others. Easily transformed (if you think about shadow puppets) and easily obscured from the true image of what they should represent. A fun and friendlier version perhaps of who we really are.

2. Community:

 If you ever feel alone or isolated, take a look around you - on the ground (so to speak). There's usually an intersection of shadows. Almost all my blog posts since the summer of 2014 has made reference to my #PTcamp PLN. Their effect on my professional and personal life has had a ripple effect on my learning, my thinking, my goal setting and my growth. The intersection of our shadows - the intentional connections and insertions into my day has significantly increased the reach of my shadow - as well as helping me see less blank space on my canvas. This is important to me!

Build your PLN: through face to face communications, Twitter (I'm @geniened), Voxer (I'm @gdelah336) - and build relationships through your networks. It will ONLY make you better!

3. Awareness of others:

Have you ever used shadows to track people around you? I have - I remember walking alone once from the bus stop, along the busy streets of Johannesburg, on my way to work at a Pizzaria adjacent to the University of Witwatersrand. Street crime was at an all time high (violent crime at that) and I used shadows to watch for people who were getting "too close for comfort".
However let's flip to the positive side of being aware of someone else's shadow. It's not just about connection and what you can get out of the relationship. You have an opportunity to validate someone, provide support and appreciation by acknowledging the impact they have on you.
So to those I follow, Vox, Tweet and interact with on a daily basis - thank you for casting your shadow.
Whether it's 6 more weeks of winter or not - every day is the #bestdayever because of you!

Think about it :

Shadows

Fun references:
1. Groundhog Day (the movie)

What if you could relive every day? What would you change?

 2. My dog Ben is fixated by shadows. He will spend hours "playing" and interacting with himself:
Ben's shadow fixation