"Coming out of the dark"
The dark pampers you. It cradles you like a velvet curtain drawn against the world. It’s an excellent place to hide. A place that lets you dream—encourages it, even. In the dark, drifting feels safe. You convince yourself that it’s enough to simply imagine a better place, a brighter time. You wrap yourself in shadows the way others wrap themselves in blankets, convinced that one day, somehow, a sliver of light might find you.
But if you truly want to step out, here are a few truths you’ll need to face.
First: the light will not come to you.
It will not stoop, it will not coax, it will not beg for your presence.
The light is proud.
The light exposes.
The light is honest to the point of cruelty.
If you think you can endure that honesty, then read on…
Guidelines you must follow:
Stop dreaming.
This is the hardest part. Dreams keep you warm in the dark, but they blur your path in the light. Letting them go will determine everything that comes next.
Tell no one.
This is your quiet rebellion—your sacred secret.
Be decisive.
How? By acting quickly. Hesitation is the dark’s favorite weapon. If second thoughts creep in, return to your corner. You’re not ready yet.
Stand up. Take one step. Do not look back.
The dark is seductive. It will whisper. It will promise. Ignore it.
Take a second step. Then a third.
Don’t run. Running breeds fear; fear sends you backward.
As you walk, keep your gaze down.
You are not yet strong enough to look straight into the light. Patience.
Soon, faint colors will appear.
Let them gather slowly. Do not sprint toward them. The finish line is not a place—it’s a becoming.
Open your eyes.
If the brightness blinds you, if the world floods into your vision with no corner left to retreat to, you’ve arrived.
And now comes the final ordeal.
The light will expose you completely. No mercy. No shadows. No soft places to hide.
So what have you gained? Was the journey worth the discomfort?
Find yourself a stoop. Sit. And look at the person beside you—the one you have just dragged out of the dark. Speak to him. Listen to him. Discover everything you never knew was there.
You will find your truest companion. You and yourself.
From this moment on, the two of you will be inseparable.
Yes… it’s worth the walk.