THE BACKSTORY OF “RESTING IN THE LIGHT OF STILLNESS”

It’s hard to share our darkest moments with the world. It isn’t my nature to let others in and see my vulnerabilities or witness my process of growth. But when author Lisa Crofton invited me to be a contributing writer in her new anthology, The Lightbearers’ Chronicles, I felt an opening that I just couldn’t ignore. It started with a slight sense of curiosity and slowly grew into an eager willingness to explore what the subtitle meant for me. “The Healing Journey from Wounds to Wisdom” seemed to challenge me to make sense of all the pieces of my life that have brought me to where I am today. Still on the journey, of course, and far from having it all figured out, I still recognize that I have chosen to become a healer – of sorts – by dedicating my life to helping others navigate their own darkness with the light of acceptance and compassion through meditation practices.

It was this acknowledgement, from Lisa, and then from myself, that gave me the courage to start threading together the storyline of that journey. My first draft was messy with pieces scattered throughout my life, memories that have clouded my perspective with lingering avoidance and fear. It was dark and muddy. The wisdom and light were obscured by my frantic search for meaning.

In the piece, I write about the problem with seeking, whether seeking meaning or peace. The harder we seek something, the more it eludes us. It was only as I learned to rest in stillness that I found myself no longer trapped in the workings of my mind. The overly active and analytical mind eventually finds stillness when meditating for long periods. In this state of being with everything, I have found I can simply let go of trying to make sense of it all; Let go of judging it altogether.

Rushed in the final week before submission, and sick with a terrible flu-bug, I was forced to stop over-thinking and just allow the story to tell itself. That was when the light started to shine through. I remembered how light shining through forest trees has always allowed me to feel connected, supported, and alive. That’s where I start my story.

The book goes on sale November 22^nd, 2025. I’m most excited to read the other authors’ stories in this anthology. It gives me comfort to know I am not alone in my suffering and it gives me hope to know others also choose to become healers as they continue to navigate their own darkness. I hope you will also enjoy this delightful collection of light-filled stories.

If you’d like to be invited to the virtual LAUNCH event, where discounted pricing on the book will be available, please send me a message. Send an email to nicolle@smokyhillsinsight.org or message me on social media.