Shadows of Doubt

  Between the rains today, there were bursts of bright sunshine.  I took advantage of those brief moments to do a few outdoor chores.  It seems that either we have frigid temperatures or drizzly rain so any sunshine means time to scurry around and get things done.  While out, I noticed that the brilliant sunshine was casting a rather impressive shadow of a spindle on the canvas window coverings on the greenhouse.  Although the canvas is a dark gray, the shadow was quite strong.  A stiff easterly wind was fluttering the canvas enough to make the shadow change shapes at times. I thought of how that shadow was a lot like things in life.

  We all have "shadows" that slip into our days at times.  Whether it be a bit of the blues from missing family, a surge of angst over an upcoming event or just some unforeseen bit of gloom that strikes at a moment's notice.  These things, and those like them, can all seem overpowering at times.  If in our darkest hours, the shadows of doubt start shaking us to the core, it may be helpful to take a different perspective.  Without light, there can be no shadows.  In the pitch black, no shadows are cast. A source of light has to there to strike an object to make the shadow.  Just like in our lives, somewhere there is a light beaming brightly. When we think things are at their darkest, it will help to find the light. That beam may be casting shadows but it should also remind us that things are not all bad.  There are good points in our lives.  Perhaps, we need to focus more on that light than the shadows that seem foreboding.  

  I try to concentrate on the good in all things but it seems to be getting harder and harder to do so.  Sometimes it seems almost impossible to find the "happy" thought when we are struck with things out of our control.  Those shadows can become distorted enough to seem massive and all-consuming.  Just like the shadow on the greenhouse window.  Without light, there would have been no shadow but, throw in that breeze and the shadow became distorted enough to almost be unrecognizable.  It would twist and turn and become grotesque just like the turmoil in our minds.  However, let the wind settle down a bit and the shadow would return to its smooth self.  Then, if I turned in the opposite direction, I could see the bright sunshine...the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak.  Focusing on that light instead of the darkness....my new goal for the year.