#11: Bless your suffering
life is meaningless without juxtaposition
We have to remember that darkness doesn’t exist in and of itself—it only exists as the absence of light.
It’s easy to think we’d love to live in a world of sunshine and rainbows, but here’s the truth: if everything were light all of the time, then there would be no real opportunity to exercise free will—and therefore no meaningful choice for us to make.
The very reason we’re able to create light is because the option not to also exists.
It is precisely in these moments—when fear or lack pulls us in the opposite direction—that our choice to continually choose the light actually matters.
Put another way, “darkness” (challenge, pain, our inner critic, etc.) isn’t only something for us to battle and overcome, it is a necessary component in fulfilling our purpose, which is to create more light.
Life is meaningless without juxtaposition
There is a saying that the highest peaks always come after the lowest valleys—and there is a reason for that.
Without sadness, we could not experience happiness. Without pain, we would not know pleasure. Without lack, we could not appreciate abundance.
Life is meaningless without contrast.
At the end of the day, it is the alchemy of pain into beauty that gives meaning to our experiences.
So when you are in the valley, remember that—as dark as things may feel now—this is a powerful opportunity to lean into your ability to transform darkness into light. And when you do, you create more light than was even possible to experience before.
The valley isn’t a detour from your path, it is where your capacity expands and your true character reveals itself.
So what does it actually mean to “choose the light”?
Choosing the light is choosing to see the good in every situation—even the ones that do not “go to plan.” It is choosing certainty beyond logic. It is choosing to believe that everything is working out for your highest good, even if you can’t see how yet.
Choosing the light is choosing to give love, even when that love isn’t reciprocated back to you immediately, or in the same way.
It is choosing to act in integrity with the kind of person you want to be, even when the people around you do not or cannot meet you there.
It is choosing to care more about what you think of you, than what other people think of you.
It is making the right choice, even when it’s hard.
It is keeping your head above water, even when you feel tempted to stoop to someone else’s level.
And the truth is: the only light that really matters is the light that is earned in darkness.
And maybe that’s the point.
To recognize that the moments that feel the heaviest are often the ones asking the most of you—not in what you do, but in who you will choose to be.
Because the kind of light that really changes you is the one you choose when it would be easier not to.
When it would be easier to harden, but you choose to stay soft.
When it would be easier to close off, but you choose to stay open.
Over time, those choices become who you are, and you realize that the light you were searching for was never something you could find. It is something you were destined to create, again and again, in the valleys.
Weekly tip
Something I’ve been loving the last few weeks is “miracle journaling.” I spent 5-10 minutes first thing after waking up writing down a bullet point list of all of the evidence of miracles in my life. These could be big things—a contract coming through, a chance encounter that led to something magical—or little ones, like getting an amazing night of sleep or catching up with a friend I love.
There is so much truth to the phrase “focus on the good, and the good gets better”—by choosing to focus on the positive things already in your life, you’ll attract more of them. (I promise.)
And…I’m coming to London (Apr 23–30) and Paris (May 1–6)!
I'm looking to connect with:
Founders and operators building in wellness, personal growth, or adjacent spaces
Creators doing meaningful work in the self-development world
Spiritual teachers and leaders across traditions
Anyone who might be a great fit for The Well Path Podcast
You guys!! (Listeners and readers of The Well Path)
If you know anyone I should meet, please let me know.
That’s all for now. Thank you for being here <3
xx
Brooke