The Glass Elephant
The glass elephant holds the light until we can see it inside ourselves. I wonder what you’ll see.
Read or listen to discover what’s special about yourself and others in your life.
I have an elephant made out of glass. Even though I don't want to hurt any of the others in my office, this one is my favorite.
It was given to me by a dear friend who would often tell me, “I know that you know you are special, and you don’t have to prove it to me. I just want you to be yourself.”
This elephant stands quietly in a place of distinction on my mantel, keeping an eye on me and my clients—and the other elephants in the room.
It carries a lot of weight, and I'm sure it would hurt if it fell or if I dropped it—me more than the elephant.
It might not break, but it could leave a dent in the floor and scare those below—like a clap of thunder from God announcing a sudden downpour of loss and trauma, hopefully followed by renewal and a new beginning—my heart lighting up in a rainbow of color and warmth.
This remarkable creation is the sensitive kind who knows they‘re a little different. They can be edgy at times, but they usually give me good advice—especially when they grow quiet and listen with their heart.
Sometimes they even reach out to me for my advice, but I don't always trust that they’ll remember what I told them. I think they might have the same experience with me. I hope not.
We’ve gone through a lot together, and they call me their friend. They've been pretty transparent, which is consistent with their nature. I like that they look at me, not through me. But I wonder what they share with others—and what they say about me.
I have a sense that's just a child part of me, worrying about getting too close and getting hurt.
But when I take a moment to breathe and look into their bright eyes, I know that I matter, and it’s safe to get close again. They remind me to always remember my Core Self and healing power—to champion myself and others with fierce love.
I like to polish my elephant from time to time and share its light with others. If I catch the light just right, I can see my reflection in the glass—feeling like I live in their heart, even when I have a hard time connecting to my own.
A dear client, who had never heard me talk about this special elephant, recently told me that she had a dream about a glass elephant and thought it might be a good name for her business.
Though not always seeing her own light, she’s an amazing artist who creates beauty from broken glass and discarded jewelry.
I could hardly hold back my excitement and delight, as I knew in that moment what we had been working on was sacred and was truly sticking—not costume jewelry. The broken pieces inside her were coming together into a whole that the world could finally see—one of quiet strength, wisdom, and love.
That’s a lot to carry—especially for someone who lived so long in the dark, where the light was rarely reflected back.
But now, her work can hopefully bring us closer together—something we need more of right now, both within and between us, and around the world. The light giving us a map of what we need to see, instead of blocking it whenever we dare to look.
In the moment, I hope these words help you see your glass elephant, and you’ll know that it always sees you. That’s the light of invisibility coming to the surface—your Core Self.
That's the person you were always meant to be—truly solid at all the broken places, a badge of honor and respect for all to see.
The Glass Elephant holds that truth until we can see it inside ourselves.
What do you see when you look inside? You might want to check with the elephant about what they see inside you.
That's a reflection of the light inside yourself—and that you do matter.
Then you‘ll know that you’re home where you belong—and that we’re all on this journey together.
Many blessings—now and forever true.
Gratitude: In appreciation of those who have shared their light and sweetness with me over the years—and received mine.
Confidentiality note: The above story is a composite, drawn from therapeutic encounters and friendships over the years. Some details have been altered to protect confidentiality while preserving the truth of the experience. If my words feel familiar, it may be because our lives so often echo one another in the shared fabric of human experience.
Comments or questions? Email me at mcecilvt@aol.com. Feel free to share these words—and this blog—with anyone you hold close or long to be held.
About the author: Marc Cecil is a doctoral-level licensed psychologist, certified AEDP supervisor, approved EMDR consultant, and senior CSRT consultant. An experienced psychotherapist, supervisor, consultant, and teacher, Marc uses an integrated experiential model grounded in our capacity for adaptive change to help people heal from complex relational, developmental, and transgenerational trauma.
Dr. Cecil lives in Vermont near the shores of Lake Bomoseen, where his heartfelt stories and images of connection arise from the light of invisibility, bringing therapy to life.