What if I don't want to be the Sun?

 

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”

Some of us love taking the center stage, while some of us love standing in the corner, playing a minor role.

We are always told to "shine like the sun". That is to become the brightest, the boldest, the best in the crowd. To be the main character. To own the center of the stage. People forget that not everyone wants to be the sun. And honestly, not everyone needs to be. Being the sun is exhausting. Every move you make will be watched, and your mistakes will be counted. There's a saying that the one who wears the crown must bear its weight. Not everyone wants to wear the crown nor bear its weight.

What if we don’t want to shine all the time? What if we prefer to be a smaller light—like a firefly—that shines in its own way, freely, at its own pace? Isn't there beauty in that?

Why is it that society only celebrates the brightest lights (the sun)? Isn’t a streetlight, quietly standing on the road, just as meaningful? Though these lights don't give as much light as the sun, these smaller lights matter. Sometimes, they matter even more to some people. After all, a streetlight can keep a robber away. You don’t have to be the sun to make a difference.

Why do we think we must always shine? Maybe it’s okay to dim ourselves when we’re tired. Maybe it’s okay to rest.

Who decides that being the main character is the best role to play? Isn’t a smaller role—like a friend who shows up in times of need—a cool role too?

Jean-Paul once said, “We are our choices.”

You can choose. You can be the lead when you want to. You can step back when you don’t. No one else gets to decide your role on the stage.

You get to choose when to shine and when to rest.

And it's not a problem if you never become the sun. Even as a candle, you can light someone's home. Even if you never shine, some people can see you at a glance.

So, what do you want to be? The sun? A star? A candle? A firefly? Or something different? The stage is yours. Play the role that you love to play because even the smallest light can keep the darkness away.