My husband was suffering from an insistent cough; I retreated to the guest room to get some sleep. In the middle of the night, I got up to use the bathroom. Unaccustomed to that part of the house and bleary eyed, I came straight out of the bathroom and found myself in the dark, study. The study is a minefield of boxes and souvenirs. Words, unlovely words, tumbled from my lips. I ran my hand along the edge of a box and made my way back to the hall. Six steps and a quick left and I was nestled in the guest bed. All this wandering about in the night got me thinking about how we make our way through the dark moments of our lives.
Of course, I could have just turned on the light. But to be honest, I was half asleep and it did not occur to me. I found my way out by using landmarks that I knew from seeing the room in the day. All of us experience darkness one way or another. There can be physical, mental, emotional or even spiritual dark nights of the soul. The term "dark night of the soul" is taken from a fifteenth century poem by the Spanish saint, St John of the Cross (Juan de Yepes y Alvarez). In his poem, St John looks at the journey of a soul through difficulty and darkness and finally reuniting with God.(For more information on St John please consult Catholic Online)
Even when we drive, sail and walk in daylight, we consult a map (or GPS) before we head out. If you are hiking, you might sign in on a log in sheet before heading into the forest. You check the weather before you drive. If it's dark, and you are driving, you want to have functioning headlights. If you are walking, a flashlight is a good idea. Unlike transportation, dark times in our lives sneak up on us. There have been times I have been caught completely flat footed. The right tools helped me navigate the darkness.
First, you need the right travel companions. Your friends should want you to be the best version of yourself, but they should also love the work in progress. A friend should share your values. I have a friend who stopped calling when my husband lost his job and I have a friend who helped me clean my barn when I sold my house. It has taken me time to learn friendship discernment. Depending on the situation, an ideal travel guide may even be a counselor or doctor. As Edith Wharton said: There are two ways of spreading light: Be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
Second, treasure experiences. People are more important than things. This seems an obvious statement, but until my husband lost his job, I just gave it lip service. I like nice things; yet things break and wear out. When you spend time with someone, whether its chatting, walking, dining, crafting, fishing, hunting, you form a memory. You can take that memory out anytime. Sometimes things even get funnier or more dear over time.
Third and, most importantly, faith. I believe, to quote Father Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, that "We are spiritual beings having a human experience." I do not feel this is my home. I do feel I am passing through on my way to the Light. Navigating darkness is temporary, but not new. The struggle of light and darkness is reflected in the Bible, the balance of yin and yang symbols and even the movie Star Wars. Darkness is a afoot in our world today and sometimes it frightens me. Perhaps Anne Frank said it best: "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." May you have good companions on the journey and may you know there is Light at the end of the tunnel.
Even when we drive, sail and walk in daylight, we consult a map (or GPS) before we head out. If you are hiking, you might sign in on a log in sheet before heading into the forest. You check the weather before you drive. If it's dark, and you are driving, you want to have functioning headlights. If you are walking, a flashlight is a good idea. Unlike transportation, dark times in our lives sneak up on us. There have been times I have been caught completely flat footed. The right tools helped me navigate the darkness.
First, you need the right travel companions. Your friends should want you to be the best version of yourself, but they should also love the work in progress. A friend should share your values. I have a friend who stopped calling when my husband lost his job and I have a friend who helped me clean my barn when I sold my house. It has taken me time to learn friendship discernment. Depending on the situation, an ideal travel guide may even be a counselor or doctor. As Edith Wharton said: There are two ways of spreading light: Be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
Second, treasure experiences. People are more important than things. This seems an obvious statement, but until my husband lost his job, I just gave it lip service. I like nice things; yet things break and wear out. When you spend time with someone, whether its chatting, walking, dining, crafting, fishing, hunting, you form a memory. You can take that memory out anytime. Sometimes things even get funnier or more dear over time.
Third and, most importantly, faith. I believe, to quote Father Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, that "We are spiritual beings having a human experience." I do not feel this is my home. I do feel I am passing through on my way to the Light. Navigating darkness is temporary, but not new. The struggle of light and darkness is reflected in the Bible, the balance of yin and yang symbols and even the movie Star Wars. Darkness is a afoot in our world today and sometimes it frightens me. Perhaps Anne Frank said it best: "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." May you have good companions on the journey and may you know there is Light at the end of the tunnel.
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