Throughout history, humanity has navigated through what some call “dark times.” Yet, it’s hard to move with ease and clarity when immersed in darkness. You need a light, but what if you don’t have one?
How do you shine light into the darkness, especially if you don’t believe you have even a tiny flame with which to do so? That’s a conundrum, is it not?
Not really.
I can think of a few ways to light up the darkness in your life or the world so you can easily and clearly navigate and move forward. Let me share them with you.
First, let’s take a moment to explore darkness.
What is Darkness?
Besides being absent of light, the word “darkness” also refers to wickedness or evil. You might hear someone refer to another person as “dark” or declare, “We are living in darkness” or “in a dark time.” When difficulty arises or we feel challenged by life or circumstance, we perceive ourselves as “living in darkness.”
In these instances, we must learn to shine a light—for ourselves and others. It also behooves us to learn to see the light in others and circumstances because it is always present, even if hidden.
There’s no time like the present to be the light that changes your life, community, and world. So, how do you do that, especially when immersed in darkness? Try these five tips.
1. Be the light.
Darkness is the absence of light. Eliminate it by shining your light into the dark. Then, you can navigate the darkness easily and clearly.
You have a light within you; it’s your essence or soul. And it can shine brightly and guide you through the darkness if you let it.
Unfortunately, when life becomes challenging, people dim their internal light too often. They allow their emotions and thoughts to cover up their true nature.
Release the dark emotions and perspectives, and suddenly your light shines brightly! And it lights the way not only for you but for others as well.
You also see the light…everywhere…even in the darkest corners of humanity and the world.
2. Change how you feel.
If dark, negative feelings overwhelm you, your soul has difficulty shining through. And you will feel dark, and the world will appear dark.
To shine a light…your light, shift your emotions. How?
Do things you enjoy. Garden. Walk in nature. Exercise. Watch a funny movie. Read.
Stay away from activities you may enjoy but that allow you to continue focusing on the darkness, like knitting. Do things that keep your mind busy on other things.
Move your body. It’s incredible how a little physical activity bolsters your mood.
3. Change your mindset.
If your perspective is one of doom and gloom, your internal light dims and becomes hard to experience. Not only that, you only see darkness, as if your internal light has gone out.
Find ways to shift your attention to things that lift your mood. (Yes, your emotions follow your thoughts and vice versa.) Think about things that make you happy. Focus on positive potentials. Look for inspirational and motivational stories.
You’ll be surprised how even a little time experiencing yourself, your life, and the world through a different lens or perspective changes your mindset and allows you to see and shine light in the darkness.
4. Walk into the darkness.
Take bold action. Courageously step forward into the darkness.
Like the Red Sea parting for the Israelites or the bridge appearing for Indiana Jones in the movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” your way will be illuminated and become apparent when you step courageously into the darkness.
However, you must trust that this will be the case.
Move through your fear. Do something! Your bold action becomes a beacon for yourself and others.
5. See Light in the Darkness
Although darkness is an absence of light, some define the word as the state of having less light, so it seems dark. That means darkness always contains light.
The same is true of “dark” people. They still have a soul, and that soul consists of light…Divine light. No matter how evil or bad a person seems, a tiny bit of Divinity exists inside.
The same is true of circumstances and the world in general. Learn to see the light—the positive or the Divine—in everything. Suddenly, the darkness dissipates.
Dark Times Aren’t Dark
Nothing appears as dark when you realize there is always light inside yourself, others, and the world. You begin to see through the darkness…to see the light that is part of the darkness. And you realize darkness is temporary.
It’s as if your eyes adjust to the darkness, and, over time, you see more and more clearly in the dark. That’s when you easily navigate the darkness as if you had light.
Think of that as you try to move through dark times. Step into the darkness, and your eyes will adjust as if someone had turned on a light so you can see. Consciously turn on your inner light, and you will see clearly and navigate easily.
How do you navigate dark times? Tell me in a comment below. And please share this post with those who might benefit from reading it.
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