Skip to main content

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

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Ahamasmi Yodha - My First Tattoo

I finally did it. It isn’t a great achievement to show off, but for me it’s one more item on my bucket list getting fulfilled. So I am very happy about it. What did I do? Oh like I said nothing great – I just got my FIRST Tattoo  :) My first Tattoo Artist I had done a lot of research on it since last couple of months. I wanted to get it done on my birthday, but it somehow dint work out.  For all the first timers, I wanted to list out my personal experience, just in case it helps :) First of all, I felt it will be very helpful if you have some friends who would have got it done already. But I dint have that privilege. So I went through lot of blogs and articles in About.com, Wikihow, YahooAnswers etc… Well Google, the new lord of knowledge :) has all that you need to know. So, in summary, what I got from all these sites were First decide on what you want to get tattooed and where. Go over it again and again, since it is permanent, you will have to live ...

Life... A Blank Page!

Whenever I open a notebook and come across the set of blank pages; my mind goes blank. For some reason, it always reminds me of my life. It forces me to start thinking about my life; about the past and the future. Being part of the age of computers and belonging to the IT industry, I hardly get an opportunity to actually pick a pen and write in the notebook. I write lot of blogs, poems etc… but I write them on the webpage or in Microsoft word in my laptop.  Once in a while I like to go back to traditional form of writing; using the actual pen and paper. And in last few years; I noticed that every time I try doing that for some reason the blank paper gets me all philosophical.         Although I never have that thought while opening the book; but whenever I see those blank pages; I just go blank. I always feel that my life is staring back at me with all those unanswered silenced questions, doubts, thoughts…forcing me to think – What does my lif...

When Life Humbles You

When you are planning life, life makes it's own plans and often takes you by surprise. Not that you grow arrogant knowingly, but we all tend to take life for granted while on our mission to success. There are often times when we oversee simpler yet most important ingredients of life. I believe that's when someone takes control of  life  to put a brake and slow you down. It has various innovative ways to slow you down. Nothing uncommon in the world, but definitely very new to you. I have always been slowed down by life, ever time I rushed through doing tens of thousands of things. Now looking back, I think once every 2-3 years, I am pulled over the freeway of life for speeding. This time it was my health. I have been an anti doctor anti hospital person despite of coming from family of doctors. I believe in home remedies. Steam will take care of my cold; drink some herbs for immunity, tolerate pain without painkillers, go to gym or running when you have headache so on and...

Zindagi Gulzar Hai - A feast to ones eyes!

Today I am here to make a much interesting comparison of our current Indian TV industry with our neighboring country’s television industry. Interesting because I never thought I would ever engage in watching any of the Pakistan TV series/movies or listening to their music. My disinterest in Pakistan entertainment was not because of the tensed relationship with the country. But I myself am not a big fan of TV serials. The kind of drama that is filled in Indian TV Channels today is just exhausting and tiring to watch. I hardly follow any Indian TV series. When I visit home on vacation, I join my family in watching the program they watch and that’s how I keep myself updated with what is trending in the TV industry. I love listening to music and I listen to all genres of music. I did start listening to Pakistani music since last few years and have admired their music. Strings, Fuzon,  Kaavish, Jal, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Ghulam Ali, Parveen Abida, Quratulain Baloch and many ...

My Favorite Read - 6 - The Climb by Anatoli Boukreev (and Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer)

So, now that I want to get into some serious mountaineering activities, I started with reading books on mountains. When you check for top few books on mountains the one that comes up is " Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer " followed by “  The Climb by Anatoli Boukreev" ; both based on the 1996 Everest disaster which was made quite controversial. I started with "Into Thin Air' and while I was reading, I was continuously in conflict with Jon's views. Mind you, my memory is pretty weak when it comes to remembering details of any story - whether its books or movies. I had watched few documentaries and the Everest movie based on this topic; but that was a while ago. when I started reading this book 2 weeks back, I had no background; you can say I was totally new to this story.  And yet, it was difficult for me to understand some of Jon's accusations or feelings.  But nevertheless, Jon's style of writing was amazing; he knew how to keep reader's...

Breaking the Habit...

I walked down the street, with wind blowing up my face and my head feeling kind of light. For the first time I could feel the breeze on the back of my neck; and I loved it. My friend had come to pick me up, and he said " Not bad ". I went home and my roommate took a few seconds to react. She said, " It's Okay ". After almost 15 minutes, she said " You know, I am kind of getting used to it now. It looks fine. You carry it well ".  And everyone I met afterwards had a reaction; " Why in world did you do it? ", " It's you, so it's okay. For someone else, it would be so horrible ", " You ruined it ", " You look like a school going girl " etc... etc... I still remember my friends reaction when I told 2 months back that I wanted to do it. No one was for it, everyone tried to convince me against that thought. Okay, alright, so much for all the suspense. What did I do? I got a Haircut . Yeah right. It...

King vs Prince or Queen vs Princess, Battle is still ON!!

I was at a beauty salon today, a normal day with a bunch of ladies waiting for their turn.  I was waiting for my friend to finish, when a gentleman entered with his teenage daughter. They waited for their turn, and on their turn the girl went and sat on the chair. She said to the beautician " threading of upper lips " and then she called her dad. He came and stood by her side. When the lady started threading, her dad stretched his hand out, she held her dad's hand tightly to overcome the pain. For those who don't know, it does hurt quite a bit, not too bad but depends on persons ability to withstand pain.  I heard him say " My brave girl. Just a few more minutes" . I have seen varieties of shades of a father daughter relationship, but this was really sweet and bold. I haven't seen girls getting their dad inside the beauty salon, neither can I imagine dad consoling a daughter during threading or waxing. But either ways, Dads will always be the King...

Don't let the tamed ones tell you how to LIVE!

I came across this image on someone’s Facebook wall; and I couldn’t resist it. It triggered various thoughts in me that I was compelled to write a blog. I spent major part of my last decade trying to get things settled in; to plan for a backup with a backup so I could do something seriously adventurous. But it was not until late last year that I realized I should no longer wait for a timeline to stabilize professionally, financially, personally to pursue my interests. I don't need to follow a linear approach.  I don't think I can ever have enough savings to quit the job and pursue hiking/travelling/painting full time (and well, I am not a lottery person either). And I don't think I want to quit the job in the first place, I want to continue supporting my needs.  One thing that I did, last few years was try and pursue my interest whenever I got a chance. But what I started doing since last 6 months is, to create those opportunities to pursue my interests; and align...

Combat with Mosquitoes in Delhi Airport - 15 Dead

Yeah, if I owned a news channel or newspaper; then headlines today would read exactly like this. I was in transit in Delhi Indira Gandhi Airport and I had to wait for 4 hours; and trust me it was hell. It’s been ages since I have actually fought with mosquitoes, so for a bit I felt I might lose the battle with them.  In my childhood days, during rainy season, it was a time pass for us kids, clapping hands trying to kill mosquitoes. As disgusting as it may seem; back then it definitely was a fun filled activity. It’s been over couple of decades now that I have actually dealt with such an army of healthy & fit mosquitoes. I spent first hour trying to be civilized; just shooing them away; but then I had had enough. I went from defence to offence. Within the next hour I killed roughly 15 mosquitoes;  captured in my closed fist more than 10 mosquitoes and released these war prisoners safely alive. Honestly even today, it kind of gives a sense of accomplishment to accurately ...

Compliment Someone, Because, Why Not?

Last week a customer service lady at self-checkout area of Loblaws walked up to me and asked if I was at the store the previous day. I indeed was.  I was surprised she remembered me, and was also confused as to why would it matter if I showed up on consecutive days. You know how at times your brain goes a million miles per sec and causes you to question all your life choices? I was running all the reasons in my head as to why someone would care about my grocery schedule. So, it was in that slightly confused state I replied, albeit politely “ Yes, I was here yesterday. The huge watermelon I bought did not allow me to complete my entire grocery checklist as I had reached my single trip haul limit, so I am here again to buy rest of my items ”. Meanwhile, my inner voice was shouting “ Why are you justifying your grocery trip to this random lady? Like who cares? ” Me being me, where my face clear as water always shows what I feel inside; she must have seen that confusion clearly danci...