Anyone who has walked through the valley of despair and come out the other side knows that even in darkness, seeds of light can be found. Often their tendrils reach out of the gloom and into the daylight alongside the journeyer who emerges from that deep sorrow. When we find ourselves in a place of despair, it can help to know this so we don’t give up. We can stop, take a deep breath, and realize that somehow we will find ourselves on the other side of this troubled time — and that we may even emerge with something new to offer.
Despair has been around for as long as humans have been able to express themselves, and many of the great artists, teachers, and visionaries have labored through times of depression and hopelessness. Their words, images, and lives can serve as beacons in the darkness, even if they can’t always immediately lead us out. In the end, we must find our own way, and this is why despair often overwhelms us when it comes; we doubt that we have the resources to contend with such a formidable presence all by ourselves. This is when we must come to our own aid and know in our hearts that we have what it takes to keep moving forward in the general direction of the light.
Even though we must ultimately rely on ourselves, that doesn’t mean we can’t ask for help. Our friends and family can assist us, as can our inner guides and helping spirits. They can serve the purpose of a fire that burns throughout the night, keeping us warm and providing a light for us to see the changes we may need to make in order to move forward. In addition, there truly are seeds of light inside us, however small, waiting to unfurl their shoots, if only we will give them the time.
