We’ve all got dark corners – in our past, present, and future. If we live long enough and fully enough, we all find misfortune in some form or another. And that misfortune becomes a part of us as much as any joy or success. The darkness has its place, too, if for nothing else than to give us empathy, compassion, and understanding for the dark corners that others have.
My wise and dear friend, Sara, helped me realize something about our darkness. Somewhere buried deep in your shadow is a false truth that you believe because of the things that have hurt you. Don’t shrug off your sadness or pain. Instead, look at it not with a stone cold stare but with gentleness and love and kindness. Ask your doubt why it’s there and what it believes about you. Are you a fraud? Are you difficult to love? Are you enough? These are the questions hidden in the shadows of our lives that lurk and pop their heads up when we least expect them and least need them—when we’re already down and out and trying to stay afloat.
Sara recently helped me uncover the questions in my shadow. While I have no answers to them yet, I now know what they are for the very first time. She gave me an amazing gift—the ability to see my shadow without flinching, shrinking, or denying its existence. My shadow and I aren’t totally comfortable with each other yet, but we’re on our way. And we’re dancing.
Christa Avampato 