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Embrace the Light Within
We live in a world where both darkness and light exist side by side. It’s not something we can wish away or pretend isn’t real. If anything, the presence of both the dark and the light—what many might call the yin and the yang—is as constant as day and night. It shapes our thoughts, our actions, and the way we see ourselves and the world.
In this post, I want to walk you through what it really means to embrace the light within us. Not by searching high and low for something outside ourselves, but by understanding, nurturing, and embodying the light we all have deep inside.
Table of Contents
The Reality of Darkness and Light
Let’s be honest—darkness isn’t going anywhere. No matter who we are or where we’re from, we’ll always find the dark right along with the light. We might want to push it away, or sometimes ignore it, but it just doesn’t work that way.
“There’s always going to be that darkness existing around us. And it will be up to us … on whether or not we allow that to be the driving force for our actions and our beliefs and our thoughts.”
Whether you call it negativity, sadness, fear, or just the challenges we go through, darkness is as much a part of our lives as the bright moments and hope. That’s actually what makes the light so important—because it’s something we choose, not just something that happens to us.
Acknowledging the Darkness
Facing the darkness doesn’t mean giving in to it. It simply means being real with ourselves and admitting that tough stuff will come up. We all have moments where we question things, or feel low, or let doubt creep in.
Here’s the thing:
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Everyone goes through this.
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Nobody is immune—not spiritual leaders, not celebrities, not your neighbor, not me, not you.
We all have dark days and negative thoughts. What matters is what we do with them.
What Does Darkness Look Like?
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Negative self-talk
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Jealousy or bitterness
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Feeling overwhelmed by fear or worry
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Wanting to give up
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Comparing yourself to others
It’s important to name it. Once we do, it doesn’t have the same power over us. We see it for what it is—a part of the human experience, not a life sentence.
The Light: Finding Inspiration in Others
Sometimes, it helps to look at people who really seem to live in the light. The transcript mentions Buddha, the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa—these are people who, by most accounts, radiate kindness, wisdom, and hope.
Let’s break down what makes these figures so inspiring:
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They didn’t avoid darkness.
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The Buddha faced suffering head-on before finding enlightenment.
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The Dalai Lama has lived through exile and loss, and still chooses compassion.
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Mother Teresa served the poorest of the poor in the harshest conditions.
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They made choices every day.
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No one stays “enlightened” or “in the light” automatically. It’s a daily practice.
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They inspire, but they don’t put themselves above anyone.
Even the most peaceful people will tell you—they’re still human.
It’s not about placing these people on a pedestal. Instead, it’s about noticing that it’s possible to live centered in light, even when life gets tough.
“There are some people on this planet that are truly in that space of light. You know, like we’re talking about … Buddha, the Dalai Lama … Mother Teresa … there’s some examples we can think of.”
Embodying Your Own Light
Here’s something honest—not everyone is destined to be the next Dalai Lama. But everybody, and I mean everybody, carries a light within them.
It’s not about “finding” enlightenment, like it’s some buried treasure. The transcript puts it simply:
“It’s more about us embodying that light in us and also nurturing that light.”
So what does that mean?
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You don’t need to go searching for someone or something to give you permission to be good or kind or hopeful.
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You already have what you need—it’s about letting it shine more often.
Here’s what the idea of “embodying the light” gets at:
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Choosing to be patient even when it’s hard
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Reaching out to someone who needs help
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Believing in something bigger, or just believing that tomorrow can be better
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Forgiving yourself and others
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Trying again, every day
Nurturing What’s Good in Us
Embodying the light isn’t a one-time thing. Life is full of distractions, stress, and old habits that make it easy to slip back into darkness. That’s why nurturing your light is so important.
Ways to Nurture Your Light
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Practice kindness—even if it’s just a smile at a stranger or a small act of generosity.
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Take time to reflect on what makes you feel good about yourself and do more of it.
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Forgive mistakes—yours and others’. Letting go frees you to move forward in lightness.
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Surround yourself with positive energy. This includes people, music, books, and nature.
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Make gratitude a daily ritual. Write down three things you’re grateful for every day.
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Rest and recharge. You cannot shine if you’re burnt out.
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Find reasons to laugh and feel joy. Light can be soft and gentle, or it can be bright and joyful.
Daily Practices to Embrace the Light
It’s not enough to just know the theory. Building habits that support the ‘light’ in you is what turns inspiration into real change.
Morning Rituals
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Set an intention: When you wake up, before you reach for your phone, think of one positive thing you’d like to embody that day—kindness, patience, focus, joy.
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Deep breaths: As you start your day, take a few deep breaths and visualize a soft, warming light inside you.
Throughout the Day
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Notice your thoughts: Ask yourself if you’re letting darkness take the wheel (like negative self-talk or worry).
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Pause and reset: Take a break, step outside, or stretch when you feel stressed.
Evening Reflections
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Think of three bright moments: They don’t have to be huge. Did you laugh? Did you help someone? Did you get through a tough part of your day?
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Forgive yourself: If things didn’t go as planned, remind yourself tomorrow is a new day and you get another chance.
Dealing with Setbacks
It’s really important to remember this: nobody is immune to darkness. Setbacks and struggles are a part of living, not a sign that you’re failing at being a “light-filled” person.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
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Be gentle with yourself. You’re not supposed to get it right every time.
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Reach out. Talk to a friend, a professional, or someone you trust.
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Re-center. Take a deep breath, step back, and choose one small thing to do that brings you back to yourself.
“Nobody is immune to this.”
Darkness loses its grip when you share your struggles and ask for help.
You’re Not Alone
We often think we’re the only ones trying to keep our light alive. The truth is, everyone is figuring it out, and we all have people we can learn from and inspire as well.
Ways to Connect
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Join a community. This could be a spiritual group, a local club, or even an online community focused on kindness and personal growth.
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Share your wins and your struggles. Someone else might need to hear what you’ve learned.
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Continue to learn from the examples of others—yes, from people like the Dalai Lama, but also from the kindness of a friend or the patience of a stranger.
Conclusion: Keep Shining
Darkness will always exist, but it doesn’t have to be the thing that runs your life. Each time you choose to embody and nurture your light—not for show, not for praise, but just because it’s a part of who you are—you make the world a little brighter.
You don’t “find” enlightenment, not really. You step into the light you already carry, and you help it grow.
“It’s more about us embodying that light in us and also nurturing that light.”
Quick Recap: Steps to Embrace Your Light
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Acknowledge the darkness. It’s normal, and you’re not alone.
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Notice and appreciate light in others. Let it remind you what’s possible.
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Embody your own light. Choose actions and words that come from a place of love and hope.
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Nurture the light. Through daily habits, rest, connection, and forgiveness.
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Share your journey. Lift up others as you go.
Resources and References
More Articles On Living in the Light
Keep shining. The world needs your light.
