Sometimes life feels like a relentless storm, doesn’t it? One minute you’re dancing in the sunshine, and the next, you’re trodding uphill through hail and rain. It’s in these moments, when the clouds seem impenetrable, that finding a glimmer of light feels almost impossible. Yet, it’s also at that point when the smallest rays of hope can be the most powerful.
Yesterday was terrifying for me. My youngest caught the flu and I, of course, caught it from him as I cared for him. Little ones have a habit of not covering their mouths and coughing right in your face. He spiked fevers of 104 and I struggled to get them to break. He spent all day and night just sleeping, not really moving around. When I started showing symptoms, they came on quickly and knocked me off my feet. Earlier in the day, I expressed to a friend that I felt short of breath. I wear a heart monitor for a pre-existing heart condition. By early evening, my heart monitor had gone off four times to indicate my heart rate was dangerously high.
I started feeling my heart spasm and was even more short of breath. I called the ambulance for help. On our way to the hospital, I was given four baby aspirins and two rounds of Nitroglycerin as my heart was ischemic. Ischemic means the heart is no longer getting oxygen and those medications dilate other blood vessels in the body, bringing the blood back to the heart to support it. The Nitroglycerin rounds helped but left me with a headache where I felt like my head would explode like I’d seen in the movies.
When I got to the hospital, testing showed a lung infection from the flu caused my heart to go ischemic, and into spasm. Until I developed a heart condition out of my control, I didn’t have to constantly consider my mortality. Nowadays I have to. It’s always a thought in the back of my mind. And yet, I’ve chosen to do my best to find the beauty and the lesson in the moments.
Finding light in tough times isn’t about denying the darkness; it’s about acknowledging it and discovering ways to let the light in. Here are five strategies that have been like beacons of light for me:
- Nature’s Embrace: I remember one particularly tough day, feeling cooped up and restless. On a whim, I stepped outside, letting the cool breeze brush against my skin. As I walked, the simplicity of nature – the rustling trees, the melody of a distant bird – brought a sense of calm and perspective. There’s an understated healing power in connecting with nature. Being barefoot on the ground has a way of connecting you.
- Creative Soul-Searching: On days when words fail me, I turn to my notebook. Writing has been a way to pour out the alphabet of my emotions. It’s in those pen strokes and connecting words to paper that I find a release, a way to process feelings that are too tangled for words. Creative expression, in any form, can be a sanctuary.
- The Strength of Connection: During a particularly challenging phase, it was the texts and talks with friends that became family that kept me afloat. We often underestimate the power of connection. A simple ‘How are you?’ can be a lifeline. It reminds me that even in our isolated struggles, we’re part of a larger, empathetic community.
- Small Moments of Gratitude: There was a morning where the mere act of sipping my coffee, and feeling its warmth while reminiscing, brought an unexpected smile. Gratitude doesn’t always have to be this grand gesture. It’s in these small, everyday moments that we can find beauty and peace.
- The Joy of Helping: I’ve found immense solace in helping others find their healing path. Whether it’s helping at a specific place or just listening to someone who needs to be heard, these acts of kindness and holding space ripple back. They remind me of my strengths and the positive impact I can have, lighting up my path in return.
In the midst of life’s storms, remember that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. It’s okay to seek help. You’re not expected to find the light alone or to always be strong. The darkest nights often lead to the brightest dawns.
Now, I’d love to hear from you. How have you found light in tough times? Your stories are the beacons that can guide others through their storms. Share your experiences and tips in the comments below. Let’s create a community of light-bringers, showing each other the way when the path seems dark.
