The Shadow in you

The Shadow in You

By Ohiosumuan Ihonde Wilson

Never be a shadow of the unknown,

Instead, be the shadow of the known.

Never be the shadow of a sidewalk,

But the shadow of creation—

Creating opportunities for creatures,

Becoming a creation of opportunities.

For opportunity looks bigger going than coming.

Be the shadow of creativity,

Making visible what others cannot see.

Be the shadow of the optimist,

Who finds a light where none appears.

Never the pessimist,

Who blows out the flame.

The shadow of yesterday cannot change today,

No matter how dark or frightening it was.

Today is formed from the inside out.

The shadow of failure or success rests in your hands;

It depends on how you want it,

And how you give it.

Be the light to another’s candle,

So they may see a pathway

When all around them is darkness and shadow.

Yes, the shadow of yesterday cannot be changed—

But today’s shadow can be transformed,

By illuminating your present moment.

Think like a shadow.

Act like a shadow.

Move like a shadow.

The old ones said,

“You can’t be faster than your shadow.”

But you can—

When you light your candle,

And ignite the candles of others.

Before you lift your hand,

The shadow rises.

Before you run,

The shadow races ahead.

It is what you think,

And what you do,

That makes you what you are.

So know this—

The importance of the shadow is in you.