Leadership Thought #298 – Avoid Wallowing In the Darkness
The cure to wallowing in the darkness is to seek the light.
Sometimes life is heavy. There is just no way around it. We lose people we love; our bodies break down, and other personal or professional challenges appear unexpectedly. When this happens, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the adversity of the moment(s) and wallow in despair. You can sometimes feel like the famous statue of Atlas, who carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. When this occurs, it’s crucial to acknowledge your numerous blessings and actively pursue opportunities that bring joy, love, and support.
What we focus on expands. If all your energy is channeled into negative thinking, don’t be surprised if this only makes you feel worse. No matter what happens to you, the only way out of the darkness is to reach for the light. The light shines down on you through the generosity of your spirit, the strength of your close relationships, remaining true to your core beliefs/faith, and recognizing the many blessings surrounding you. It all comes down to context and perspective.
I’ve always believed that true happiness results from having a positive impact on others, not just from focusing on ourselves. It may sound counterintuitive, but when you are feeling down, I encourage you to be a source of comfort and support to someone else. You won’t have to look far to find someone who has it even more difficult than you. Don’t get too caught up in your own little world. It’s far too easy to surround ourselves in a bubble of our making.
It’s also important to know that when things get difficult, vulnerability can be a source of strength rather than weakness. When you need love and support from others, ask for and be open to help. There are many good people out there, and they will line up to help you if you put out this energy.
Lastly, instead of internalizing everything and isolating yourself, open up and communicate. Avoidance never works. Repressed feelings only emerge stronger later and/or manifest in further physical pain and suffering. It also makes the people in your life feel less close to you at a time when they strive for a connection.
Do your best to avoid wallowing in the darkness when the light is always within reach…
Related articles
- The Downward Spiral of Wallowing in Dark Emotions (poweredbyintuition.com)
- You Need To Manage Your Thoughts (capacity-building.com)
- In the Darkness (peaceinthefreefall.wordpress.com)
- Even Atlas can’t take it no more! (inkbloodedwoman.wordpress.com)
