This post draws inspiration from a speech I gave at Toastmasters eight years ago (2016), titled "Speak to the Darkness," for 'Speech 5: Your Body Speaks.'
'Darkness' signifies the absence of light and symbolizes the unexpected crises and tragedies that invade our lives, leaving us feeling angry, hurt, pained, grief-stricken, and hopeless. It's akin to the sudden collapse of a roof overhead, stripping away the shelter that protected us, along with our cherished hopes, comforts, and dreams. This is a reality for anyone touched by tragedy.
For those who have endured it, it's known to be a solitary place. It's dark and can become even darker.
Our world is in constant flux, with wars, crime, natural disasters, and social issues growing increasingly complex. We sleep at night believing all is well ("E moe I manu ae sau mala e ati a'e," a Samoan proverb), yet there's no assurance that things will remain the same come morning.
One such darkness is the death of a loved one. Death, like a thief in the night, arrives unexpectedly, indifferent to age, virtue, or success. It ends lives and the dreams tied to those we cherish. Life is fleeting.
From personal experience, death wrenches us from our loved ones, bringing grief, sorrow, fear, hopelessness, misery, and doubt. One can only cry out, "How can this be, God? I thought You were loving. How could You take the father of my children when they are so young? They need their father. What about our dreams? The dream is to build our business and raise our children in the islands. How can You take away our security?"
Another form of darkness is the demise of dreams. Dreams wither away slowly, vanishing bit by bit, day after day. Speaking to the darkness in someone's life is akin to saying, "Wait, don't surrender, I have good news: I know where you can find help. This doesn't have to be the end; let me assist you."
How did some people escape their darkness? The answer lies in a fresh perspective. Someone illuminated their darkness. They had a companion to journey with them, to hold their hand, support them, and sometimes share their tears. It was like flipping on a switch, casting light into the darkness. Hope emerged, initially as faint shadows. Gradually, a path through the darkness unfolded, leading to a new chapter.
In conclusion, it is said that "the darkest hour is just before dawn."
Our darkest times can be our most fruitful. Surrounded by the right people who breathe life into our dreams and instil hope into what seemed lost, we grasp our dreams as if they were tangible, clinging to the belief that we can achieve them. And then, the things we lost take shape anew, heralding the break of a new day.
To echo the words of American author Og Mandino, "I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars." He also remarked, "Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its seed, its lesson on how to improve your performance the next time."
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