Article by: Vicky Alercia-Casella LPC
February 2026
“Creating Love and Light for Healing”
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only Love can do that.” -Martin Luther King Jr.
Here are some ways that we can create Love and Light:
Cultivate Self-Love and Inner Light- shift your focus inward through meditation, mindfulness, and self-compassion. Practices can include daily gratitude, embracing vulnerability, forgiving yourself, and connecting with your purpose.
Use Visualization Techniques- ground yourself by focusing on your breath, focus on a flickering flame or light, visualize that light expanding, repeat an affirmation.
Practice Active Listening- this can foster deep emotional validation, trust, and safety by allowing others to feel seen and understood. Provide undivided attention, validate emotions, reflect and paraphrase, and ask open ended questions.
Release Judgement- this transformative practice can create a safe space for love by offering compassion. Notice the clues of emotions such as anger and words such as bad or wrong. Practice a release ritual. Consider viewing the situation from a different perspective. Choose curiosity over criticism.
Perform Small Random Acts of Kindness- complimenting a stranger, paying for someone’s meal, leaving an encouraging note, volunteering, smiling, which all have the ability to reduce stress, boost happiness, and create connection.
Be Consciously Positive- Connect with your true self through grounding activities in nature or journaling to enhance your positivity.
Utilize these practices daily to cultivate love and light and then share that positive energy with our world.
My new website for 2026- www.heartsofhopehealing.com
Sending you Light and Love,
Victoria “Hope” Alercia-Casella
Licensed Professional Counselor
Student at Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Direction
Vicky Alercia-Casella has built a remarkable career dedicated to the mental health and well-being of her clients. Her passion for helping others is evident in her diverse range of therapeutic services, which have continually evolved to meet the needs of her community. To learn more about Vicky Alercia-Casella and her counseling services visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/
