Are you living in the shadows? The shadow cast by yourself or by someone else. I was recently introduced to the idea of a “shadow profile” while attending a public forum on a new development in the city. An architect was making a presentation on the prospective land use of a large parcel of land to be redeveloped. He was showing 3D models of the proposed development on a computer slide projector. He said “we always make a shadow profile for any large development”. There were several high rises in the plan and as the plan rotated you could see the shadow cast by the building at different times of the year. It was fascinating and got me to thinking about our personal shadow profiles. What kind of shadow profile do I live in? What kind of shadow profile do I cast? Intriguing questions I just knew I want to explore.
“Everybody has a right to the sun.”
The architect who was an obviously thoughtful man said “Everybody has a right to the sun, that is why we conduct a shadow profile for all developments we propose.” I was astounded by this idea and wondered why it had never occurred to me before. Of course, we all need the sun. It is the giver of life in so many ways. The power of this metaphor is immense. We all associate the sun with everything good. A “sunny” disposition. It is a “sunny day”. “You brighten my day”. “You are my sunshine.” I am sure you can think of others. The sun is associated with enjoyment, brightness, warmth, joy, happiness. I am sure you have seen those great pictures that many children draw of that bright yellow orb and its warming rays. This is their way of expressing happiness and joy.
Indeed, I believe this architect is correct. We all have a right to the sun and so too to joy and happiness. What happens to people who have been deprived of the sun for any good length of time. They will complain about how deary it is, how they do not know if they can take much more of this cloudy, shadowy weather. The sun fills us with optimism and hope. It warms our heart and our souls. Growth and development can only take place with the help of the sun.
Your shadow profile
I propose that we can all benefit from conducting a shadow profile. The idea of a shadow profile from a land development perspective is to identify where to put the buildings in order to minimize blocking the sun and increasing the opportunity for inhabitants to enjoy the properties of sunshine. The idea of a shadow profile from a personal development perspective is to identify those aspects of our behaviour that block the sunshine from others. It is an analysis of where we cast our shadow.
Do you stand in front of others and block the sun. Conversely, do you find yourself behind others who are blocking the sun from you? Your shadow profile is all about your relationships. Whenever you acknowledge someone’s achievement or recognize their accomplishments you are putting them into the sunshine. You are giving them needed sustenance for their growth and development. Whenever, someone does the same for you, they are putting you into the sun.
Important questions for yourself and your relationships
Ask yourself, are you casting a shadow over those with whom you are in relationship or do you make sure to allow the sun shine through to those you know? Do those with whom you are in relationship cast a shadow over you or make sure you get lots of sunshine?
We all need sunshine (read recognition, acknowledgement and encouragement) in order to grow and develop. You must ask if your relationships are allowing the sun to shine through to you or are they blocking those precious life sustaining rays? Do the people in your relationships say good things about and to you? Do they tell you about your strengths and assets encouraging you to succeed? Do they recognize your accomplishments? Examine them from that perspective. Everybody has a right to the sun. You may need to redevelop your relationship so the sun is free to shine through or if that is not possible then move to another where the sun is shining.
Ask also if you are blocking someone else’s sunshine by not giving them their due acknowledgement or by ignoring or taking for granted the many strengths and contributions they offer. Do you try to steal their sunshine? Sometimes we may feel that if we help others to grow then they will get too big and steal our sunshine. That really is scarcity thinking. There is more than enough sunshine on the earth that everyone may bask in it provided we all conduct a shadow profile.
Finally, ask are you blocking the sun from yourself? Whenever we say something derogatory to ourselves or fail to acknowledge our own accomplishments or put ourselves down in some way we are blocking the sun from ourselves. We are not allowing those life giving rays to nourish our mind and heart. We are robbing ourselves of joy and happiness.
Perhaps, not all days can be spent on the beach and there is a place for the rain, but when the sun is shining should we not all take advantage of it to the fullest.
The idea that we all have a shadow profile and that we live with others who have one as well is certainly intriguing. A shadow profile for human relationships works both ways. We must ask what is the shadow I cast and am I living in one myself? By maximizing the opportunity for everyone to be in the sun we are putting growth and development of ourselves and others first. That can only be a good thing. I certainly am going to conduct my own shadow profile.
Practice, time is on your side.