Light defines what we see. Light is the energy that reveals the world in front of us. Whether it is street lighting, store lighting or bathroom lighting, we depend on it to find see what is around us. In order to progress lighting is used to illuminate the path. What often get neglected are the shadows. Without shadows, without contrast, the world becomes flat and depth perception becomes impossible. The same is true of our internal lives; the shadows are part of what make up a personality. It is our shadows selves that often help make us whole. It is often what lurks in the shadows that forms our lives and determines many of the choices we make.
In cinema the director of photography paints with light. He or she is consumed with light ratios, the amount of dark to light. A night time scene would have greater ratios then a day time scene creating near black areas of the screen. Daylight scenes would still have shadows, but details can be picked up in the darkest spots. It is an interesting question when applied to our internal lives, what is the light ratio? Are we unconscious about the details in the shadows of our soul or can we see enough details to know the nature of our selves? Humans often aspire to be there best selves, the part often referred to as the light part of their personalities. If our internal world was nothing but bright light, would we be able to distinguish between the light and dark in another soul? Should we even aspire to driving out all of the dark?
Any good film or story will be filled with conflict. A story about happy people doing happy things in a happy world is not a compelling or interesting way to spend a couple of hours. We are drawn into stories about people struggling to overcome obstacles. In every classic hero story, the hero has a fatal flaw, an Achilles heel, or kryptonite. Many of the greatest films had flawed protagonists and antagonists with redeeming qualities. From The Godfather to Avatar, we are drawn to characters that grow and change, discovering their limits in thinking or feeling and rooting for them. The public attraction is based on our own struggles to overcome the obstacles that every life faces.
There has never been a person who has walked the earth that hasn’t been challenged by obstacles, either internal or external. Most will tell you that facing these shadows has brought them character and compassion. Whether the shadow in our lives is created by grief, fear or insecurity, it is often these shadows that bring depth to our lives and make us wise and hopefully happier.
When the shadows are embraced and we can walk through our lives without hiding our perceived flaws or vulnerability, then we are free to be fully who we are. By facing our shadows, we often discover the very source of the light that brings us joy.
About the Author:
Connor R. Sullivan recently searched the internet for great deals on bathroom lighting fixtures for their newly renovated bathroom. His wife found the perfect Progress lighting fixtures for the kitchen.
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Great vision Connor! Vere empowering.
Thank you for making the article available Arlene and Daniel.
Victoria Vives
Shadow work can feel very uncomfortable, confusing, even frightening at first. Few of us want to admit to ourselves we have a darker side, even if it’s obvious! But it is liberating to face it and try to learn how to harness the energy and wisdom and truth that’s stored there.
Great article! More on this subject please!
Jeanette