How do we come to terms with how we see the world and the people in it?  The light in people and the darkness.

 

What I mean is the difference between how the world really is and what we want it to be.  It is a question I have been asking myself for many years, but it has been forefront in my mind the last few weeks.  My friend and I were talking about it a few weeks ago and I asked him, if we are supposed to love one another, how can there be so much hate in the world?  Why is there abuse, murder, genocide, war, corruption, greed and all the other terrible things humans do to one another?

 

I know it is there but when I see the world, I look to see love, kindness, care and compassion.  That is the world I see, so how can they both exist in the same place?  He replied, “You hear sometimes in the news that a murderer or serial killer was arrested and they were highly artistic or intelligent, so how do you think an artist can see so much beauty in art and also be a murderer?  Because he can be both.   Because the light and the darkness inside him or her are the same thing.”

 

That is a concept that may be true but one I wrestle with.  How can the light and the darkness be the same?  If that is true than there is no good or bad, no light or dark, no right or wrong.  That means that the universe just simply “is” and in the realm of the universe all things are the same. If I think about that, I see the logic, and since everything in the universe is as it is, then it belongs where it is, therefore it must be true that it is one realm and all things are the same. This concept does not mean that atrocities or hurting other people is okay.  It is not.  Not in my world.  Not ever.  But if all things happen for a reason, then the pain and suffering we go through is for a reason and thereby part of the universe as a whole. 

 

So the question remains.  Does the darkness and the light come from the same place?

 

If they do, then the darkness and light are the same across the universe.  There is no difference.  They are all part of the same universe.  Created equally, light and dark.  Each has to be true to itself and understand there is no difference between them.  I was asked if I believed in God.  I said yes. I was asked if I thought God was in everything.  I said yes.  I was asked if I thought God was “bad”.  I said no.  Then I was asked if that is what I believed, how could the light be good and the darkness be bad if they are all part of God’s realm?

 

The light and the dark for me, are both halves of one whole.  They exist in balance with one another. Neither can be more powerful and neither can destroy the other.  They exist together to keep the balance in all things.  They are never the same, but always part of each other; complimenting and contrasting one another.  For we would never know there is darkness without light nor light without darkness. 

 

Maybe those of us that are light inside our hearts do not have to accept the darkness but simply understand it is there.  We need not embrace it or try to change it, but we must understand the importance of its place in the universe. 

 

I believe I see the light in people.  It shines from them.  I believe I can also see darkness in people like a cloud around them.  And just maybe it is enough that we spread our light and our love and kindness to others.    We can bring light to the world where it belongs, in our hearts, and simply let the darkness be.