WITH LIGHT THE DARKNESS CANNOT REMAIN

Now that summer is coming to an end, we will soon miss the sun that blazes through the sky for days on end and sets only after 10pm. During summer, the whole atmosphere is electric and everyone seems to have a sudden burst of energy. We are all too happy to hang up the bulky coats and put on shorts and t-shirts instead. Colours are vibrant, the grass is greener and the sheep look happier. We even rush out to buy the table fan when the heat threatens to be unbearable.

However, when it is winter and snow is like a soft white blanket in my backyard, I lament the possibility of not seeing the sun again. I get this feeling all the time, as if winter will last forever and I am permanently locked in a climate that will not change.

Strange but true.

Maybe it is because summer and winter  are poles apart. With Spring and Autumn the transition is more gradual. Cherry blossoms in Spring are quickly blown away as Summer’s warm clime heralds. As for Autumn, the  rich golden hues and falling leaves prepare us for Winter. We are so busy sweeping the leaves away, we hardly notice that tree branches are becoming bare.

What is it with the human brain that when we get accustomed to something  good or bad , we seem to think that it will become a permanent state? The mind is easily tricked by what it sees for a relatively long period of time.

Everything on earth is transient. They say that time flies when you are having fun. We are also well aware that misery loves company and when it comes to misfortune, it not only rains but pours.

Yet we have seen it many times that both good and bad experiences come and go.

It is just that when we are in the thick  of it, we think that it is permanent.  Going through a rough patch will leave anyone brow beaten. Much has been written on this topic and the usual response to overcoming difficult times is to analyse the problem, seek possible solutions, communicate, forgive and most of all learn not to blame yourself. This whole process may take months or years but it is comforting to know that tomorrow can be a better day.

Sometime ago, PIETA House (Preventing Suicide and Self Harm) organised a Darkness into Light walk. Starting at 4:15am and crossing the line just as dawn was breaking, the annual 5 km walk with 80 venues across Ireland and beyond,  celebrated its 7^th year.

I thought the walk was very symbolic.  Darkness which can be very intimidating and overpowering cannot remain forever when light breaks through.

There are so many of us who have experienced difficult seasons and great seasons in  life.  It has been said that beautiful paths could not have been discovered unless we are lost.

Catherine Fisher, writer of Incarceron  illustrates this in the Songs of Sapphique,

“I have walked a stair of swords,
I have worn a coat of scars.
I have vowed with hollow words,
I have lied my way to the stars...”

I rejoice when I  know someone finally has a breakthrough. It could be a bad habit or a limiting circumstance but to actually see a friend emerge victorious is great happiness. The humble person is one who has known defeat and pain and yet has found his way out of the depths.

I like this inspirational quotation that I have seen: Everything in life is temporary. So if things are going well, enjoy them because they won’t last forever. And if things are going bad, don’t worry, they can’t last forever either.

How true.

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THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY NEW STRAITS TIMES  2 AUGUST 2015

http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/09/light-darkness-cannot-remain

 http://digital.nstp.com.my/nst/books/150802nstnews/index.html#/23/