“Finding Your Light in the Darkness”

I’ve always been afraid of the dark, terrified of not being able to see what lies ahead. I remember, as a teenager, confessing this fear to my high school boyfriend. In response, he gave me a motion detector night light. Each time I walked past, it sensed my movement and lit the way forward. It was a simple but profound gift—a beacon of comfort amidst uncertainty.

Unfortunately, life doesn’t come equipped with a night light to illuminate our path. Over time, I’ve learned to accept darkness as an inevitable part of life. But acceptance doesn’t erase the worry or fear. When I can’t see what’s ahead, I feel anxious and unsettled. Darkness finds me in the transitions of life: the loss of a loved one, the end of a friendship, starting a new job, waiting for test results, or receiving a difficult health diagnosis. Darkness even looms in societal moments, like witnessing a convicted felon and rapist win a presidential election over a hyperqualified Black woman. The list feels endless. And yet, life persists, urging us forward despite the fear and uncertainty.

In navigating these shadows, I’ve started to cultivate practices that provide the same sense of safety and comfort that night light once gave me. In the past, I sought solace in unhealthy ways—coffee, binge-watching Netflix, or indulging in comfort foods. While they offered temporary distractions, they ultimately left me feeling more depleted and anxious.

Now, I turn to practices that genuinely nurture my well-being. Taking walks, engaging in guided meditation, spending quality time with my sister-friends, and listening to calming music have become my anchors. These rituals offer me a sense of stability and a way to reconnect with myself, even when the world around me feels uncertain. They remind me that, no matter how dark life becomes, I can always return to the safety and light within.

In the inevitable moments of life’s darkness, may you discover your own ways to illuminate the path forward.