There’s LIGHT and there’s DARK.
In the beginning, there was only DARK. DARK is the default and DARK is passive but it is MASSIVE.
LIGHT requires an active source and has to be constantly generated to PUSH THROUGH DARK. This requires tremendous amounts of energy input and expenditure.
DARK only absorbs energy. In the extreme case, it SUCKS UP ALL THE ENERGY IN THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD, viz., “BLACK HOLES”. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/universe/black-holes/
It is a fitting metaphor for life that there is both LIGHT SPACE and DARK SPACE to be navigated, but we start out in DARK SPACE, only lit by others. At some point, we have to start generating our own light.
LIGHT SPACE contains or is filled/replenished/enriched by the following elements:
Aspiration … Mission / Purpose / Passion … DISCIPLINE … Competence … Maturity … Continuing Education :: Deep-Mining the universe … Intelligence … Going “Out of your way” to be helpful/useful … Continuous Quality Improvement … Authenticity … Proactivity … Goal Setting and Tending … Problem Solving … Prioritization … Collaboration/Cooperation … Empathy … Understanding … Cultivating Personal Strengths … Self-Renewal / Regenerative Activity (“Sharpening the Saw”[Stephen Covey]) … Blue-Sky Visioning … Accepting Culpability … Humility … Underdog Mentality … Volunteering … Generosity … Enthusiasm … WANTING to do what NEEDS to be done … Acknowledging and Seeking Out legitimate Greatness in Others … Civility … Productively channeling limited resources (Time, Energy, Focus, Dreams) … Timeliness … Delivering Top Quality Goods & Services … Dependability … Communication … Momentum … Carefully Cultivated Character … Embracing CHANGE … Affirmation … Inclusiveness … Animation … Initiative … Temperance … Tolerance … Healthy Skepticism … Credibility … Accountability … Responsibility … Dialog … Consistency … Integrity … Unassailable Principles … Impeccable VALUES … Unflappable Disposition … Persistence … Curiosity … Creativity/Innovation … Executive Function … Impulse Control … Exercise … Delayed Gratification … Service to Others … Morality … Trustworthiness … Confident Self-Direction/Self-Supervision … Mindfulness / Total Intentionality
Conversely, DARK SPACE exists as a PRIMAL, permanent, always-in-the-background, irresistible, negative “gravitational force”. It contains and is greatly expanded and entrenched by the following:
Self-Serving Self-Interest … Ignorance … Social Media … VICES (Lust, Avarice, Sloth, Gluttony, Pride, Envy, Anger) … Untruthfulness/Dissembling … Stealing … Squandering Unscheduled Time … Martyrdom … Whining … Drama … Excuses/Explanations/Cop-outs … Inefficiency … Ineffectiveness … Lack of Focus … Over-Promising / Under-Delivering … Insincerity … Bullying/Belittling … Only asking “What’s in it for me?” … Small dreams … Rationalizations … Bingeing … Pettiness … Short-Sightedness … Boorishness … Blatant Disregard … Plagiarism … Pig-Headedness/Hard-Headedness/Bull-headedness … Resisting CHANGE … “Chilling Out” … Resting on Laurels … Isolation/Hermitage … Blame-Mongering … Defiance of Authority … Idol Worship … Idle Worship … Animosity … Tribalism … Racism … Prejudice … Grudges … Manipulation … Fantasy … Fixations … Over-Indulgence … Inattention to Detail … Sacrificing Blue Chip Investments … Cynicism … Anarchy … Infamy … Conjuring Conspiracy Theories … Procrastination … Dependencies … Obstination/Adversarial Posturing … Denial / Avoidance of responsibility / Ostrich Behavior … Presumptive Entitlements … Unrealistic Expectations … Unfounded Assumptions … Mediocrity … Delusion … Financial Insolvency … Emotional Insolvency … Lack of Self Actualization … Lack of AGENCY … Boredom … Bravado / Ego … Fuzzy Principles … Sacred Cows … Deus ex Machina rescues … Tobacco … Alcohol … Drugs … Unhealthy Diet … Consortment with “Losers” … Wearing pants at “’half-mast” … Trash Talk … Defamation … Exceptionalism … Imperialism … Extremism … Elitism … Nihilism
Is it any wonder that we struggle so much to maintain equilibrium … to keep our heads above water? However, if we simply let DARK be DARK and focus, instead, on all the LIGHT we can personally — or collectively — generate and walk within, life can be so much more simplified.
“Do what you’re supposed to do
and life will turn out the way it’s supposed to be.”
Farmhouse Calendar Inscription
Don’t let DARK just happen and keep happening! BRING ALL THE LIGHT YOU CAN MUSTER!!
“Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
Dylan Thomas
P.S.
If you’re having trouble “keeping the lights on”, try getting rid of some “Black Holes” that may be gravitationally draining your initiative and reserve, like: Poor Diet, Bad Habits, Lack of exercise, Disorganization, Social Media, Wanton Willfulness, Untended or Poorly Articulated Dreams …
Quartermaster
P.P.S.: From ”Take Something Like a Star” by Robert Frost
“We grant your loftiness the right
To some obscurity of cloud –
It will not do to say of night,
Since dark is what brings out your light.
…
Not even stooping from its sphere,
It asks a little of us here.
It asks of us a certain height
So …
We may take something like a star
To stay our minds on and be staid.”
