“Turn your face toward the sun and the shadows will fall behind you.” ~Māori Proverb
People often comment that the Tiny Buddha emails come at just the right time for them, and I think there’s a simple explanation for that. They all address universal challenges–things we all deal with, and often. They’re the things we sometimes forget connect us.
We all deal with pain, heartache, disappointment, frustration, fear, anxiety, and loss. We don’t deal with it at the same times, in the same ways, or for the same reasons, but we all experience the same emotions–over and over again.
Just when we think everything is perfect, something changes and we realize nothing is permanent. Just when we think we have everything figured out, we realize how much we don’t understand, and maybe never will.
But we also have something else in common: No matter how dark things can seem in our lives, we always have at least a little light–and sometimes far more than we realize. Very rarely is all lost.
If things aren’t going great with work, you may still have amazing friends who remind you that you are so much more than what you do for a living. If you don’t have the relationship you dream about, you might have family members there to remind you that you are never alone.
We always have good things in our lives. It’s just that sometimes we get too distracted by what’s lacking to recognize what’s going right.
Yesterday I asked on Facebook, “What advice would you give to yourself, 10 years ago?” I would tell myself to stop worrying that I was missing out on the good life, because I was actually missing out on life because of all the worrying.
Though none of us can go back and do things differently, we can remember what we’ve learned and use it.
Today I commit to enjoying the light, wherever it may be. What light is there in your life?
*This is an updated version of a post from 2009. Photo by law_keven
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.
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Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine. 
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by IrisandMe, Panos Papadakis 人間. Panos Papadakis 人間 said: Sun against shadows http://shar.es/aIwhR […]
Beautiful post…thank you!
I usually only have time to read the quotes in the daily emails, but keep them all in my inbox to go back and reread when I have the time. I read the quote this morning, and as I went to click out of the message, I saw a glimpse of the title- and gave myself the time to read its entirety. By the end I was teary eyed. This post came at the right time for me. Last night my boyfriend and best friend of 3 years broke up with me, and this post reminded me that things will get better and I will not always be feeling like this. It reminded me to focus on the smallest positive things, because it will make the darker days that much better. I’m so glad that I forced myself to check my emails this morning. I have a feeling I will be re-reading this post several more times lol. So now that I sound like a hot mess, I just want to say thank you, so incredibly much.
[…] Tiny Wisdom: On Realizing It’s Never All Dark. […]
My light is hope, and I will enjoy each stride to make my hope and dreams come true.
i feel the same way. a little over a month ago, the woman who i thought was the love of my life let me know over email that she was done with our relationship, blah blah blah. it’s so easy for me to be angry with her, to try and blame her, but really that only hurts yourself.
when i am hurting worst, i have learned to turn inward, and to find answers to new questions by reading and reflecting on what i learn. i simply try and accept that whatever hurt me so is, and hope that i can find some solace in a new perspective. the hard part is finding something interesting enough to capture my hurting mind, and then to make sure i’m not applying everything only to what’s on my mind, but rather to seeing the world in a way that somehow justifies the pain. like the bliss which the pain is likely a response to the loss of, pain is transitive. it truly is a beautiful disaster.
Beautiful post – I think this is a great message – many people who struggle with life’s ups and downs struggle with connection as well! I am so grateful to have tinybuddha in my life now – it’s amazing how powerful it is just to read an inspirational post or positive statements… as my sister likes to say “Why have I not been doing this???” 🙂 Thank you for this gift of light!
Grateful for the post. It applies to me so much.
I’m have a very difficult time forgiving some one I love very much. I’m not one who has ever held grudge before with anything, so I can’t understand why I can’t let this issue go and forgive. I have said I have forgiven this person, but my actions say something elase altogether. I’m looking for help!
You’re most welcome. =)
I love what you wrote about finding solace in a new perspective. I once read about a study that revealed people who journal after difficult situations deal with less depression than people who don’t. Because they focused on identifying life lessons, they were able to let go and move on more quickly. I am a huge proponent of asking myself every day, “What did I learn today?” This helps me create forward momentum, as opposed to dwelling and getting down.
You are most welcome. I’m so sorry to hear about your break up–but I’m glad that I could be helpful to you. There’s a quote I posted a while ago that’s been really helpful to me: “No feeling is final.” It’s so true–all sadness eventually transforms into happiness. Everything is cyclical. Even the darkest eventually fades into light.
You’re most welcome! I’m so glad that you’ve found the Tiny Buddha posts inspiring! It actually helps me a lot to run this site because I feel such a sense of connection in writing about these things. It’s amazing to see how many people are dealing with the same challenges at any given time.
Thanks Allyn. I hope you’re day is going well. =)
Hi there,
I’m so sorry to hear that you’re struggling with this. I have been there before, and I know how difficult it can be to let go. There are a few posts that may be helpful to you:
http://dev.tinybuddha.com/blog/forgive-and-set-yourself-free/
http://dev.tinybuddha.com/blog/forgive-so-that-you-can-let-go/
http://dev.tinybuddha.com/blog/how-to-forgive-someone-when-its-hard-30-tips-to-let-go-of-anger/
I hope these help!
Lori
“tell myself to stop worrying that I was missing out on the good life, because I was actually missing out on life because of all the worrying”. thats me now! thanks so much to let me see that im not the only one with this limiting vision 🙂
…and, of course, that there is a way to let go this mental scheme – a huge cause of confusion in my life. thanks again
Your site always inspires me!!
This is SO coming to me at the exact right time, thank you very much!
I love your posts!
Amy
Needed this today. Thanks,
oh my god, this came at JUST the right time!!!
just kidding.
but on a serious note, awesome post. as usual.
my light in my life, at the moment, is drinking wine on my porch with the new porch lights i put up, citronella candles, and my laptop. ohhh, the simple things.
That sounds absolutely awesome. I am a huge fan of wine and porches…and obviously, laptops. =)
You’re most welcome!
I’m so glad Amy! =)
I’m glad this was helpful for you, Debbie!
You’re definitely not the only one. I think we all deal with this sort of thing. We’re only human, after all!
I sure like the term “universal challenges”. So many times, especially when we are down, we think we are all alone. It is in forums such as yours we find comfort in knowing, there are others out there who understand. Thanks!
You’re most welcome. I always feel instantly better when I realize that we are all very similar. There’s nothing with me, and I am not alone. No one is alone.
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[…] Tiny Buddha founder Lori Deschene wrote, “People often comment that the Tiny Buddha emails come at just the right time for them, and I think there’s a simple explanation for that. They all address universal challenges—things we all deal with, and often.” […]
[…] Tiny Buddha founder Lori Deschene wrote, “People often comment that the Tiny Buddha emails come at just the right time for them, and I think there’s a simple explanation for that. They all address universal challenges—things we all deal with, and often.” […]