Late the other night, I arrived by train on my own in a city I don’t know well, heading off by foot to find the place where I was staying. I started walking uncertainly, as I tried to figure out which direction my phone was telling me to go.
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Late the other night, I arrived by train on my own in a city I don’t know well, heading off by foot to find the place where I was staying. I started walking uncertainly, as I tried to figure out which direction my phone was telling me to go.
I ended up stepping into a dark and quiet street. Very quickly I became cautious: bag clutched to my chest, scanning shadows like an amateur security guard who definitely hadn’t passed the training.
Psychologists tell us that when visibility drops, our sense of danger rises. The darkness fills in the gaps, usually with worst-case scenarios. And mine were vivid.
The next morning, I headed out again - and saw the place in daylight. The whole city felt transformed: Christmas lights strung across the streets, market stalls warming the air, the atmosphere bright and welcoming.
Same streets. Same buildings. Just more light. Instantly, it felt friendly.
It made me think how often life works like that. In my darker moments- uncertainty, stress, grief - everything looks sharper, more threatening than it really is. But bring in even a small glimmer - a message from a friend, a good conversation, a moment of clarity - and suddenly the world feels navigable again.
Many traditions carry stories about light breaking into dark places. One of my favourites is about Jesus - peace be upon him - shaping a bird from clay. The story is in the Qur’an, the book Muslims turn to for guidance. Jesus breathes into the bird, and it becomes alive. A miracle, by God’s permission. I’ve always loved that image: something that looked lifeless suddenly full of possibility. Light where there was none. And the Qur’an refers to God as “the Light of the heavens and the earth.”
I can’t give anyone a miracle cure or a perfect solution. But perhaps I can give a moment that helps someone see the world a bit differently. Because while the darkness may still be real, just a little more light can help me keep walking - especially during those times when I have no real idea where I’m going.
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