Rediscover yourself in Darkness

No matter how long the night is, there will be sunrise ahead of it. There is always light at the end of the tunnel. We always hear these encouraging words when we are in tough times. People always refer to tough times and bad incidents to darkness. I have started to wonder why?

Why do we refer darkness to negativity? Why is the night feared? Why do people say darkness is to death as light is to life?

Past few days have been the toughest in my life so far. I have been through a lot of tough and sad times; but this one beats them all. And I have been thinking through it; this write up is a product of these thoughts.

Over last few days, I have realized that these tough times are the ones that bring out our hidden true self. When a person walks in the darkness, all his fears come out. There is no one to run from and nowhere to run to; no place to hide; because you see nothing. It’s just dark! As soon as the dawn breaks, the outside world comes to life and your inner self goes back to its hiding; just like the touch-me-not plant (scientific name Mimosa). When its dark and silent, it's only you that exists. You can hear your heart beat and the echo of your fears. You realize your weaknesses and strengths. You don’t have to pretend, you don’t have to feel embarrassed about anything, you don’t have to worry about what the world presumes you to be, you don’t have to put up a mask. You are just yourself!

Same is the case with tough times. Tough times test the person's endurance. No matter what others say or try to console, your heart won’t accept anything other than what it wants to hear. Everything and Everyone else seem fake!

During this tough emotional phase I realized how important it is to keep talking to one self. (I know, talking to oneself is considered as sign of madness. I meant analyzing or thinking about something alone). When we are emotional - whether happy or sad, we are vulnerable. During such times what others say and behave does leave an impression on us. It does impact our decisions. So, it’s really important that we converse with ourselves. It’s during these times, do we really recognize how strong we are; to withstand not just the tough situation but also the ripples caused by the surrounding elements as a response to the situation.

Trying to be what world wants to see in us, we eventually forget who or what we really are. These tough times, gives us an opportunity to show what we really are. When the best of your buddies or relatives get a little busy to check on you, when people measure the help they can provide based on what financial value you are of and so on, they just add to the actual problem. It takes a lot more than courage to handle these. It takes patience, self-confidence, right judgment and above all - Faith in one self.

Robert Schuller’s "Tough times never last, but tough people do" has been one of my all-time favorite quote since schooldays. I read it in one of Schuller’s book and since then it’s kind of engraved in my mind. Today I understand how true his words were. The actual weight of this quote can be understood well by each one of us who is fighting something or someone in their life.

I believe that Darkness can be our friend. Night sky is my favorite just like sunrise or sunset on a beach. Both of these impact my thoughts in different but equally effective way. Darkness need not always bring negativity; it can also become source of positive energy - I believe it’s just a matter of perception. For me darkness and tough times are important part of life just as the moments of happiness. End of the day, you are the master of your thoughts - whether they occur in daytime or night; strong or weak; good or bad – you know better what to do of them.

So yes, when everything around seems to be falling apart, when you think your world is crashing into pieces and you can do nothing about it, when essence of life suddenly seems to be an unbearable burden, when you think you are lost in the dark – remember, someone has just created an opportunity for you to rediscover yourself – Again!

Sarita

Dated - 26 November 2013

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