Neon Lights

The Ripple Effect

It started innocently enough in 1912, a neon sign announcing “Paris Coiffeur” on Boulevard Montmartre. Just a salon seeking a bit of attention.

About ten years later, Earle Anthony used neon to gain attention for his Packard dealerships in Los Angeles. Then the person down the street got one, and then another, and another.

In the push to grab your attention, they got bigger, taller, and flashier. Eventually, saturation hit, and now every town seems flooded by light like Times Square or Shinjuku. 

What once screamed “unique” now prevents us from seeing the stars.

Want to pull people in with appearances? Get the shiniest object you can afford. It will work for a bit.

But if you’re looking to create an enduring community and attract those who find beauty in the night sky, remember: flash will fade, but substance stays – and this is true for more than just signs. 

Until next week, have fun storming the castle. 

Michael 

P.S., Join us for our live Pause Breathe Reflect Meditations this week on Monday at 7:30 a.m. Eastern and Friday at 12:00 p.m. Eastern. 

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This post was inspired by three days in U-Haul between NYC and Denver with my oldest and her cat, Chai, and one very bright night in Akron, Ohio.