Looking into the Darkness

Darkness

As we enter December and near the shortest day of the year, we often find ourselves longing for light. The beauty of the candles in the Menorah, the twinkling of the stars in the cold, clear sky  are inspiring, calming and can bring great hope for what is to come. How wonderful these can be when our days begin and end in darkness! This year, I wonder if it is not helpful to also appreciate the darkness.  Perhaps the night that surrounds the candles we light can be just as important as the light itself.

This time where little grows is important to what is come. The bulbs that need a hard frost to bloom are getting just what they need in the darkness of the ground and the darkness of the days. In some ways, we too need this time. No life is without some darkness. Sometimes that darkness is a shadow of sadness or loss that is difficult to endure. Sometimes it is the absence of the light of hope. And while we could do without these, they are a part of the fabric of life. But at other times that darkness is the peace of night after a hard day’s work, or a shadow cast over us on an intensely hot and sunny day. What appreciation we can have for that shadow! I find myself wondering this year, what we might discover if we take a moment to appreciate the dark. Sitting in this time and space, focusing our eyes on the darkness rather than searching out the things we see with light, will darkness cease to be a blanket, a monochromatic field? Will it shift to greys, blues, purples? Perhaps we will begin to sense not with our eyes, but more clearly with our other senses. What room there may be for internal calm and peace? What space might be found for dreams and inspiration?  The darkness may begin to represent a blank slate, the moment before an act of creation. In this time and space, we may find the potential for something as yet unimagined.

This is not to suggest we embrace depression or sadness as the good we strive for, but simply allow room for the darkness that is good- the night that lets us rest, the relief from all the noise and lights that surround us in our daily life.  If we can learn to appreciate the goodness that we find in the darkness, we might find ourselves refreshed and better able to appreciate the beauty that is the light.

If you find yourself struggling with a difficult darkness, either internal or external, please know that I am here to assist you in finding whatever help you may need.