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Joseph Bayly is said to have said, “Remember in the darkness what you learned in the light.” Reverend Bayly was a pastor, author, editor, columnist, novelist, poet, and humorist. Some say the quote is, “Don’t forget to remember in the darkness what you learned in the light.”
Any Hoo, we like offering suggestions on what to do instead of warning what not to do. So we are going with the first one. We personally don’t know much about Mr. Bayly’s pulpit or politics. That’s on him. But we do love these words and all they represent.
At Enchanted Perspectives, we offer many tools, techniques, and new ways to look at things. On a good day, standing in your strength is refreshing and empowering. Stand there, remembering who you are and what life means to you. It’s easy to look for what makes you feel better, the higher solution, and things that make you smile. 7 Ways to Discover the Real You With Enchanted Perspectives
But what about the times that are not so good? What about when you are having a bad day or a bad life? What about when you are in that situation that you never thought you would be in or be in again? What does “Remember in the darkness what you learned in the light” mean? Is it a pretty little bumper sticker with a “Don’t worry, be happy” flavor? Is it a fake platitude to sprinkle confetti and glitter on the hard stuff in life?
Glitter Sprinkles Might Not Fix The Hard Stuff, But Good Tools and Wise Understandings Will.
These aren’t just pretty words. They are wise words. The words of wisdom suggest that in a dark moment, don’t forget what you learned in a calm, precise moment. We’ve all been there and have sat with friends and loved ones in the same chaotic space. In a dark moment, we start saying harsh untruthful things we know aren’t true. It can show up in several different versions.
We start doubting ourselves and our abilities. We shortchange how hard we have worked and how far we have come. We question our value to ourselves and others. We doubt the love of anyone who ever showed us compassion. We doubt our teachers. We doubt our God. We wonder, “What’s the use?” and tell ourselves that things are hopeless or worse, we are hopeless.
“Remember in the darkness what you learned in the light” is a reminder in those wobbly and messy times. It reminds us of all the tools we gathered. It reminds us of what we know when all is well. It is a life preserver until you can touch bottom again. You might still be wet, but you will no longer be drowning.
What Does “Remember In The Darkness What You Learned In the Light” Mean?
It means truth is truth regardless of present-time circumstances. Think of any tool, practice, perspective or lesson that you know to be true in your world. You may have learned it in a class or read it in a book. It may be something your Grandmother told you that you’ve always known to be solid advice. Maybe it’s a truth you learned in the school of “knock you off your ass and figure it out as you go” assignments.
Regardless, it is truth to you because you have used it and stood solid in the understanding and results of it. You trust in this knowing because it has earned your trust. If something is happening in your life, this is the time to put that knowledge to work. “Remember in the darkness what you learned in the light.” 7 Ways to Discover the Real You With Enchanted Perspectives
How Do You Apply “Remember In The Darkness What You Learned In The Light” To Your Life?
When we have a big problem, we tend to think, “What’s the use?” as we toss away the tools that could help us. We know going outside calms us, but we insist on staying in a heap on the couch. We know talking makes us feel better, so we insist on sulking up and not letting anyone in.
If you can remember in the darkness what you learned in the light, you will always have the wisdom to draw from (because you know a lot of stuff!) When things get wonky, remember what you know. When things get scary, remember what you know. When you are in darkness…remember what you learned in the light.
Does It Really Make Any Difference To Remember In The Darkness What You Learned In The Light?
What’s the first thing we think when we feel scared, depressed, lonely, or lost? We think, “I don’t know what to do.” “Somebody tell me what to do!!” Now…what if that somebody is…You?
It doesn’t matter how many years you have been alive. This isn’t your first rodeo. You have already walked a path with rocks and roots to trip you up. You know stuff, and you know it because you have lived it. You have figured out things that you thought were not figure-out-able. But somehow, you did just that. You know what you know because you learned while you were doing it. You built the plane while you were flying it.
Along the way, you have found your elders, helpers, and your own Obiwan Kinobes. They also taught you things and showed you where the potholes of life might be hiding. Whether you heard them ten years ago or last night, their words have stuck with you. You know what they know because you paid attention and made it your own. It is now yours to keep, use and pass on to others. 7 Ways to Discover the Real You With Enchanted Perspectives
How Do You Remember to Remember In The Darkness What You Learned In The Light?
A dark moment is…a dark moment. There’s no sugarcoating or making it sound easy. But in that moment of darkness, you have tools. They are tools that you learn in the light. They are tools that you learned while everything was ok. You had time to think and decipher and think about what happens next. That’s when you learned all the wisdom you hold.
So when you find yourself in a dark, scary, or …just messy time, remember who you are and remember what you know. Remember what you believe. Remember what you have learned. Remember what you have already figured out so you don’t have to figure it out again.
Trust what you know and trust yourself. If your self-doubt and fear are too big to think, grab a pen and a piece of paper (Cause you know how much we love to work with a pen and a piece of paper). Let’s get to work. 7 Ways to Discover the Real You With Enchanted Perspectives
Say to yourself, “I don’t know what I’m going to do, but if I did, what do I know that might help?” Then work through the following meaningful questions:
- Define what is going on.
- Define what you need to know or need to know how to do.
- Ask yourself what this situation reminds you of.
- Have you been here before or read about someone being in this situation?
- Have you known someone who has gotten to the other side of something very similar?
- What do I know about this? What did I do when this happened before? What did someone tell me about what they did?
- What tools, knowledge, or understandings do I have that could help me right now?
This is what “remember in the dark what you learned in the light” means. You have lived a life full of useful stuff. What did you learn from those experiences? Once you know something, you can’t unknow it. So own it.
You’ve got this!!!! Just remember to remember. Remember in the darkness what you learned in the light.
Pixi-Pebbles… that help you Remember In The Darkness What You Learned In The Light
Pixi Pebbles are songs, quotes, videos, interviews, movie references, and books that we each personally pick for you.
We’ve used these little Pixi-Pebbles to move ourselves from a feeling we’re not enjoying very much…to a feeling that helps us discover our vision of intention, awareness, and direction.
They lead us to hope, possibilities, and a fire under our butt to live life by design instead of default.
In our blog, 4 Powerful Reasons To Remember In The Darkness What You Learned In The Light, these are the Pixi-Pebbles that came to mind.
Just a little inspiration to get you from here to there.
One of our favorite ways to reconnect with our tools and inner wisdom is music. There is nothing like a powerful, meaningful song to help pick you up, dust you off and get your feet pointed in your highest good direction. Nikki even used this song to learn dance moves! Click Here for the video THIS IS ME from-The Greatest Showman.
Meet Nikki:
Nikki has a way of making almost anything meaningful, interesting, and fun. She loves cats, believes you can learn a lot about yourself by shooting hoops in the park, and has a mad love affair with trees. As a Certified Neuro-linguistic Programming Practitioner, Intentional Living Mentor, Reiki Master, and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, she understands how to help others create change and has a talent for making you enjoy doing it.
Enchanted Perspectives
Meet Jennifer:
