Light

Summary

Life’s challenges can often feel insurmountable, particularly in moments where the weight of circumstances, whether personal or societal, bears down heavily. January is notorious for being a month that seems to stretch endlessly, full of dismay, strain, and frustration. Yet, within this darkness, there are glimmers of light: moments of perspective, acts of kindness, and reminders of the resilience of the human spirit. Today, I want to share a few reflections, both vulnerable and sincere, and offer some encouragement for anyone who may feel downtrodden or lost.

Acknowledging the Darkness

January can feel like a marathon through quicksand. Performance pressures pile up, finances tighten, and for many, the hope of thriving feels reserved for a privileged few. This is especially evident in societies where survival is already a daily challenge. For me, the uncertainty of not always knowing the next step has felt particularly heavy this month. Despite having clear goals, I am reminded that no one is all-powerful or all-knowing. Our limitations -time, space, and circumstance - force us to confront life’s intensity, an experience unique to each of us.

In moments like these, it’s easy to feel isolated. Yet, vulnerability is where light begins to seep in. Admitting my struggles reminds me that this journey is shared, and no matter how insurmountable things may seem, there is always a way forward.

Finding Light in Others

Today, I stopped to snack, an ordinary act that became extraordinary. A gentleman approached me, his biggest concern at that moment being whether he could sell a charging cable to buy KShs. 40 worth of cabbage for his children’s dinner. His distress was raw and genuine, and my spirit moved me to help in a small way. But as I walked away, my appetite vanished. I sat with an overwhelming sense of insignificance, much like the humbling realization of earth’s minuscule place in the vast universe. How could I have been weighed down by my own concerns when others faced such dire struggles?

This moment of perspective was sobering. It reminded me of the power of kindness, not just as an act toward others, but as a catalyst for shifting our own mindset. In serving others, however small the gesture, we find light even in the darkest times.

Perspective Through Gratitude

Later in the day, I returned home to the comfort of a roof over my head, only to read about someone who had just lost their mother, having already buried their father a few years prior. It stopped me in my tracks. I reflected on my complicated relationship with my parents but realized I am neither an orphan nor battling a terminal illness. I am alive, and for that alone, there is reason to be grateful.

Gratitude is not about dismissing or diminishing our struggles but about reframing them. Every challenge, no matter how significant, exists alongside countless reasons to be thankful. Gratitude grants us perspective and strengthens our ability to endure.

Becoming the Light

A few years ago, someone told me something that profoundly shaped how I view myself and life’s trials

I don’t think you realize that your superpower is your ability not to run away from life’s darkness but rather to see, feel, act, and be a light in it.

This insight serves as both a reminder and a challenge. Life is full of peaks and troughs, moments of joy and seasons of despair. While we cannot control the waves, we can choose how we respond. To be the light is to acknowledge the darkness without succumbing to it, to extend kindness when faced with pain, and to act with purpose in the face of uncertainty.

Practically, this means:

1. Pause and Reflect: Take a moment each day to sit with your thoughts and emotions, without judgment. Ask yourself, ‘What can I be grateful for today?’

2. Serve Others: Whether it’s a kind word, a small gesture, or active involvement in your community, helping others creates a ripple effect of positivity.

3. Reframe Your Perspective: When challenges arise, remind yourself that they are temporary. Look for the lesson or growth hidden within the struggle.

Conclusion

The human condition is limited by time, space, and our subjective experiences. But within these limitations lies the extraordinary ability to shift our mindset and act with intention. When we choose to see the light, to act as a light, we find meaning even in the most difficult moments.

So, to anyone feeling weighed down by life today: know that you are not alone. Your challenges are valid, your pain is real, but so too is your capacity to rise above it. Be the light, not only for yourself but for those around you. It is in this shared brightness that we truly thrive.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. How do you find light during dark times? Let’s connect and continue this conversation professionally or socially. Together, we can create a brighter world.