Recently someone asked me how I have managed to stay positive even in the most trying times in my life. It seemed like an easy question and I quickly replied by saying I made a decision to be happy and left it at that. Later I began to think about it more and started digging a little deeper inside myself to see how it is that I have found the strength to choose happiness even when times were really bleak. Here is a little of what I have been thinking…
I do believe that there are or will be times in our life when we have to muster the strength to rise above the darkness so that we can move forward in life. It is like finding yourself in a long dark tunnel and all you can see is a tiny pin of light at the end. You can barely see the light, but you know it is there. You trudge through the tunnel, sometimes bumping into walls or tripping over things, but you keep going with your focus on the light and continue to move forward. As you are moving along through the darkness, your eyes get tired from straining to remain focused and you decide to take a break and rest your eyes for a little while. What happens when you open your eyes when you are ready to move forward again? You cannot see the light clearly and you have to intensify your focus until that light becomes clear once again. This may happen several times during your journey, but each time you make the decision to focus and continue to move ahead. Each time it will be easier for you to regain your focus because you are that much closer to the light and it is bigger and brighter now. As you get closer to the end of the tunnel you begin to move a little faster and you take less breaks because you know you are almost there and do not want to stop. Eventually you will get to the end and step out of darkness and into the bright light. You may emerge with a few bumps and bruises and may even find yourself wanting to duck back into the darkness and out of the bright light. Nevertheless, you know your bruises will heal and your eyes will adjust and you will find happiness in it.
Let me ask you this – What kept you moving forward? Was it the light at the end of the tunnel or was it actually faith and hope? Does that light at the end of the tunnel signify an expectation of something, anything better than the darkness? I think it is the belief that things will be better in the end, but right now, in the moment, you know you must keep moving forward or you will never know what lies ahead. That belief requires a tremendous amount of strength and trust. You may stumble and you may need to rest, but you must keep moving forward anyway and you make it through!
I have had my fair share of tunnels to pass through in life and each time I knew I would get through it a stronger and better person for it. You know, as I look back at the darkest days of my life, I seem to really only clearly remember the best parts of it. Call it selective memory if you want, I will accept that – gladly.
Are you in a tunnel right now? Do you know someone who is and may need your help? We can help others see the light at the end of the tunnel and help them understand that with hope, faith and strength they will get through and can find peace and happiness at the other end.
May your journeys be more in the light than the darkness.
Interesting analogy. Hard times certainly bring dark thoughts and the a black sense of being unable to see the light. The guards on a watchtower are always glad to see the first light of dawn.
When things were black, I used to tell myself to “Hold On.” but then I discovered that after a lot of bumps and bruises, I didn’t have enough inside of myself to hold onto. I think for many, we need hope that is outside of ourselves. Faith in something bigger than ourselves.
May your journey be filled with enlightenment.