It becomes more and more apparent to me that we need the rough patches in our lives in order to appreciate the good that is given to us. We need the dark in order to see the light. This is not an easy realization to come to. Like most, I would rather skirt through life carefree and full of happiness. Unfortunately, that’s not how life happens. I’ve been through my fair share of struggles. I’m sure you have to, but you know what? I feel like I’m a better person because of them. Our hurts help us to connect with other people on a level that is hard to get to otherwise. Our hurts make us human, real, vulnerable. People connect with that realness. Don’t be afraid to show it. Don’t be afraid to open, to be raw.
I work as a mental health therapist for children and adolescents. I have a few kids on my caseload whose stories are devastating. Sadness is a heavy weight tied to their backs. You can see it in their faces. In the way they walk. It breaks my heart. One little girl, wise beyond her years, told me she just wanted someone to really love her. So I told her about the fireflies…
Fireflies are magical. They come out only when it’s dark. They aren’t afraid to shine, even if it’s only for a moment. They provide light in the darkness. They provide a moment of hope and joy.
If you’re going through a particularly difficult time right now, I encourage you to look for the fireflies in your life. The small rays of hope. The moments when things are going well. The moments of peace, even if they are small and last only minutes. The moments of light in the darkness. Just like catching fireflies in jars, we may need to write these moments down to remember them, or take a mental picture to tuck away in our hearts for later. Put positive quotes or pictures where you can see them, if that helps. Collect the fireflies and the darkness will not seem as overwhelming, lonely and scary. Light will drive out the dark.
If you have made it through to the other side of your struggle, remember there is always someone else who is smack dab in the middle of their own. Be a ray of hope in their life. Offer up your kindness, gifts and services. The world seems to be filled with darkness, but each person’s love and positive energy makes a difference to counteract that. Radiate love. You never know who might be searching for their own fireflies.
This post is very insightful and inspiring. I like how you refer to fireflies as not being afraid to shine in the dark. I think even for those who have overcome struggle, such as myself, it can be easy to fall into a comfortable place where we get used to good things only to fall again to negativity. Your post has reminded me that being grateful in the small miracles is what will help to overcome these dark times no matter what.
Thanks Gabrielle! Good point about getting comfortable. The same thing has happened to me, once one struggle is over, you think everything is “back to normal” only to have something else happen. I have to keep reminding myself that it’s a journey that ebbs and flows.
I love this! Beautifully written! Your work sounds so inspiring!
I totally agree that it takes hard times and rough patches to let you be able to better appreciate the good stuff, and that during those dark times it’s important to seek out the good stuff!
Thanks Ashley!
This post is very inspiring, beautifully written and has a great message! 🙂
I very much agree with you that we need the rough patches in order to appreciate the good. Without the dark, we could not recognize the light. The strongest people are those who can put the bad experiences into perspective.
Keep up your great work as a therapist and a writer 🙂
Thanks for your kind words Mimi and stephoffthegrid.
It all comes back to love doesn’t it? No wonder all of us consumer obsessed members of modern society are often so miserable. We have it backwards. Thank you for visiting my ACIM blog and I am so pleased to have discovered yours sweet soul. All the best – Lisa
Thanks Lisa. It’s true…sometimes in the hustle and bustle of everyday life we forget what’s really important.