11/06/2026
A story about light. Something happened today that made me certain about sharing this.
It can be hard to remember the light—the good in the world, in our lives, and in ourselves. I see this in myself and in my therapy clients.
Some experiences are so painful, overwhelming, or life-changing that they naturally consume our attention for a long time.
Yet we often feel pressure to be positive, to move on quickly, or to act as though everything is okay.
Acknowledging and making space for our pain, our shadows, and our struggles is important. Having people in our lives who can see our value even when we are carrying heaviness in our hearts is important. Being able to speak honestly about how we are really feeling is important, yet often very hard to do.
Life contains both light and dark. One without the other is incomplete. Yet the messages we receive through media, and sometimes from those around us, can leave us feeling as though we should always be positive—and that if we’re not, something must be wrong.
Sometimes remembering the good things, the things that inspire us, or the people who care about us can help us feel more supported when life is difficult. At other times, those things may feel out of reach. Both experiences are part of being human.
We don’t want to lose sight of what matters to us, but where and when it feels possible, holding both our darkness and our light can be helpful. There are also times when the darkness feels overwhelming, and that reality deserves compassion and care.
I was thinking about all of this while walking by the ocean today. I was thinking, remembering the light is hard sometimes. Then I noticed a page from a magazine lying on the sand. I picked it up, and the first words I read were: “Be the light.”
It encouraged me to share the other side of the story–that we also need space to acknowledge darkness, grief, loss, trauma, and hardship. Sometimes the most important thing is not finding the light, but having our darkness witnessed with care.
I am offering low-cost one-on-one holistic psychotherapy sessions through the Connection Culture Community Clinic next week and each month. There are also many other wonderful therapists available. You can find out more about all of us at www.hpcommunityclinic.com.
In light and darkness, may you know your worth
🙏🌊☀️Erika