Life in the Dark

I struggle emotionally with the transition from summer to fall. Many people are depressed in February; for me, it's October. Just three weeks ago, I could go for a walk or a bike ride, and the sun would stay with me until I returned home. I think I struggle because the approaching dark months feel like a window of opportunity is closing.

Darkness is coming, and it's inevitable.

It's easier to get things done in the light, where you can see the world around you with clarity. However, achieving success in darkness is always a challenge. There's also a feeling of safety that's only natural in the sunlight. You can see a threat coming from a mile away. In the dark, you don't have the luxury. Danger has the upper hand. This is how our world feels sometimes.

Last week while riding my bike through the downtown core, I was briefly overwhelmed by the sense of darkness on the bike paths. The street lights along my typical trail are on an automatic timer, and they haven't adjusted yet to the loss of sunlight—the sudden darkness made it difficult for me to see. I could only see lights in the distance. All I could see around me was darkness. I felt like I was too far away from home and with little to no ability to defend myself if things got bad. I don't believe Edmonton is a dangerous city; I walk our streets almost every night. But I also know that you shouldn't be alone in the dark in certain parts of the town. But here I was!

Then this thought came to mind, and I said to myself, "Jordan, do not assume you're the only good person in the dark. Good people all around you are sharing this dark experience." Then, in an instant, my fear subsided. If we let it, the darkness has a way of isolating us all into believing we're alone in the world.

The second thought that came to mind was this; It's so easy to forget that good often comes from the dark. A beautiful tree starts deep underground, absent from sunshine. The world's great artists always start in obscurity. If you're familiar with the Bible, you've probably already noted that God made most of his promises to humanity in the dark, underneath the stars. I hope that one day the cure for cancer will emerge from the deep recesses of the mind of a researcher and make that nightmare a thing of the past.

Friend, the world will feel dark at times. It's ok. It's natural. Give yourself the space to feel all the emotions the darkness brings. Then, once you've done that, look at the stars and imagine the possibilities. There's a lot of good in the dark. You're part of it.

Friend, thank you for reading. Keep walking.