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Daily Question, June 1

What helps me face the dark rather than turn away from it?

  • Nancy Walton-House

    When I stop, look and then act in a conscious way, as Brother David recommends, I recognize how my choices lead me to facing the dark or the light. I am much healthier and more able to solve problems and improve my life situation when I face the dark rather than deny or avoid it. Using spiritual resources and honestly communicating with a few select individuals helps me develop the courage and commitment I need to take responsible action.

  • Malag

    It starts with the dark within. How can I not turn away from that; it is part of me. A wise man introduced me to the concept of the shadow self a term coined by Carl Jung. It’s well worth getting to know the dark within rather than hide it and just see it in others. 

  • Ose

    I don´t know.

  • Pari
    Q: What helps you face the dark rather than turn away from it? And: The only way out is through and once I can fight my fears, I feel limitless. I like to ask myself 'what's the worst that can happen?', and I have to be strong enough to be ready for the worst. I like to zoom out and then in such a big world my problem feels so tiny and insignificant. I like to remind myself that I will come out stronger and will only learn from the experience. And then obviously I always have my family and frie...

    Q: What helps you face the dark rather than turn away from it?
    And: The only way out is through and once I can fight my fears, I feel limitless. I like to ask myself ‘what’s the worst that can happen?’, and I have to be strong enough to be ready for the worst. I like to zoom out and then in such a big world my problem feels so tiny and insignificant. I like to remind myself that I will come out stronger and will only learn from the experience. And then obviously I always have my family and friends who are always there for me as strong pillars in my life, they always encourage me and remind me that there are no limits and if I set my mind to something, I will figure out a way and they will always be there for me. I am so grateful god, thank you so much for everything. I have learned that there is no such thing as the dark because when I look back the dark phases of life are the ones that teach you the most. My goal is to bring more stability in my mind, I wish to be neutral and remain composed regardless of the bright and dark moments of my life and just experience them smoothly while staying connected with my inner self.

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  • Maeve

    Sometimes, just going through it, and then it shifts, or there is unexpected light.

    And sometimes I do turn away from it.

  • Nancy Walton-House

    I get the most effective help from prayer, reflection, my faith tradition and the many opportunities it provides to gather in person or online. I use the resources it provides such as books, magazine articles and music. I also get help from remembering how my grandmother, parents and other people I admire handled their own darkness. When I remember that I am well supported and do these spiritual practices, I can experience darkness and move through it to the light.

  • GregC

    The old adage, “This too shall pass.”

  • sb
    The knowledge that I have God on my side, not to mention my husband, mother, friends....The lovely quote from Mother Julian ""All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well" (and she survived the plague!)...The fact that I have survived so far and come through some very dark times, and have surprised myself by how resilient I am...The knowledge that I am only a small speck in the world and that the dark is, probably, equally small in that perspective...and finall...

    The knowledge that I have God on my side, not to mention my husband, mother, friends….The lovely quote from Mother Julian “”All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well” (and she survived the plague!)…The fact that I have survived so far and come through some very dark times, and have surprised myself by how resilient I am…The knowledge that I am only a small speck in the world and that the dark is, probably, equally small in that perspective…and finally, a bit of inherited optimism, I guess! My Mum is the most positive person imaginable even in the face of life changing problems. I have a lot to thank her for.

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  • Antoinette

    The fact that I am tired of running away from fear makes me look at it

  • dcdeb

    Sometimes i get coached from the people around me.

  • magamag1

    knowing I am light, therefore there’ll be shadow

  • Chester

    Remembering that even in the darkest space, there is still some light. Look for the light and find your way!

  • Hemant

    Being Self aware and clear in thoughts helps me face the challenges

  • Jay27

    My wife…simple as that, she has seen my darkness and she held my hand trough most it…there is still a very dark place within but there is also light now

  • Lauryn

    The knowledge that nothing is ever as bad or ‘dark’ as you imagine it to be —- although it’s difficult to make yourself believe this at the time. The knowledge that nothing is permanent, nothing is forever …and therefore the darkness will pass… eventually…. if you trust that it will.

  • Mica

    I’ve just realized that my aging brain needs me to accept what comes, so as not to deteriorate even faster into forgetfulness and worse. That motivates me to let go of anger and distress.

  • Cathie
    In those dark moments, I accept that there is darkness, and take some mental type of action to lock the darkness away, or keep from focusing on it, until my unconscious or subconscious or true self (whatever that unknowing part of me is) has a chance to (I don’t really know – deal with it – but in retrospect it feels like) analyze, discern and synthesize the darkness. Then after time passes, there appears some lightness in myself – in my being – like the saying goes – a weight lifted...

    In those dark moments, I accept that there is darkness, and take some mental type of action to lock the darkness away, or keep from focusing on it, until my unconscious or subconscious or true self (whatever that unknowing part of me is) has a chance to (I don’t really know – deal with it – but in retrospect it feels like) analyze, discern and synthesize the darkness.
    Then after time passes, there appears some lightness in myself – in my being – like the saying goes – a weight lifted. With that lightness either action or sometimes inaction bubbles up and the darkness which was present but not focused on dissipates with understanding and the call to action or inaction.

    Read More
  • pkr

    Prayer. Trusting in a higher power. Surrender.

  • SK

    To know that all will be well and all is well. It comes from a place of deep trust in the God of the universe that’s got my back. My favorite mantra is “God, give me guts.” Dark places come from what we perceive as dark people, dark situations, unrest, anger, resentment, blame. I want to side with the light of day and all that is possible- even when not easy.

  • Holly in Ohio
    And what is The Dark? For me, The Dark is things like ugly truths: injustices, hate crimes, environmental destruction, tragedies, famine, poverty, illness, abuses. And in those places, in The Dark, I see people in need, or I see nature in need and as we need nature more than we realize, that will also translate to people in need. So ultimately it is my love of people that helps me to face The Dark. It is not that I want to look at or be in darkness, but I feel compelled out of Love. Love i...

    And what is The Dark?

    For me, The Dark is things like ugly truths: injustices, hate crimes, environmental destruction, tragedies, famine, poverty, illness, abuses. And in those places, in The Dark, I see people in need, or I see nature in need and as we need nature more than we realize, that will also translate to people in need.

    So ultimately it is my love of people that helps me to face The Dark. It is not that I want to look at or be in darkness, but I feel compelled out of Love. Love is what helps me face The Dark.

    Read More

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