Healing from Trauma: Living in the Light

An Analogy by Becky Ivory
 
In the quest to eliminate all darkness from my life, I find myself searching for all the dark places. Heading to the basement, I turn on all of the lights and immediately notice that each of the rooms are still full of darkness, so I methodically go from room to room to flip every switch that allows light to flow in. But then I see that all of the closets and cupboards are still dark, so I open the doors to each, only to realize that the corners still have shadows. Flashlights are the answer, and each shelf gets its own.
 
Suddenly, I realize that the upstairs also has closets and cupboards in need of lights to chase away the shadows, so I head upstairs and begin steadfastly flipping every light switch, opening every closet, and installing flashlight after flashlight.
 
Soon, a voice from the basement booms, “who turned on all of these lights? Do you think we’re made of money?” I hear the sounds of cupboards and doors shutting, lights switching off, and doors latching. If only they understood! I think to myself as I head back down the stairs to begin the painstaking process of eliminating darkness once again.
 
Round and round I go…until…
 
One day, I realize that I’ve been focused on eliminating the dark for so long, that spend my life in the dark, futilely fighting a losing battle, only to try again tomorrow. In that moment, I choose a new path: to ignore the darkness and focus on the light…after all, that is what I crave.
 
I begin hanging out in the chair that gets bathed in sunlight every morning. I enjoy the lights that illuminate each room I am in at the moment. I take walks outside and feel the warmth of the sun on my face. I begin to realize that the places of darkness actually accentuate the joy of the light.
 
I do not think about…or fear…the darkness much anymore. No matter where it still exists, I am productive, joyful, and at peace in the light. When the moments of darkness come, I do not worry. I know the light will come again. I even have faith that there are ways that I can create, or find light, whenever I need it.
 
Before long, I discover that I have actually become a source of light, and now I take it with me wherever I go.

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