Fumbling Around in the Dark

"If Everything Around Seems Dark, Look Again, You May Be the Light" ~ Rumi

Lately, I’ve felt like I’ve been fumbling around in the dark. Life has a way of throwing curveballs at us when we least expect it. I find myself in a time of transition, feeling as though things around me aren’t quite aligning or making sense. It’s almost as if I’m walking through a fog, and I can’t seem to find my way out. But as I pause and reflect, I realize that even in the darkness, there’s something I’ve learned: I can serve as the light.

I think back to times in my life when I’ve faced what seemed like overwhelming obstacles, only to later realize they were turning points, even blessings in disguise. Back in 2016, I lost my job as the Director of Recreation Services at the University of Delaware. In the moment, it was devastating, a blow to my sense of stability and purpose. But what I couldn’t have known then was that this “darkness” would lead to an entirely new chapter in my life. I moved to Rehoboth Beach, took on a new role at Dogfish Head Brewery, and experienced some of the most fun and freeing times of my life, meeting dear friends and creating many cherished memories.

It’s easy to look back and connect the dots, to make sense of the painful and challenging experiences once they’ve passed. But when we’re in the midst of them, it’s hard to see the bigger picture. That’s how I’m feeling now. The present moment feels confusing, lonely, and puzzling. The path ahead seems unclear, and I find myself longing for clarity. But perhaps, in these moments, I’m meant to fumble around a bit in the dark. After all, if there were no moments of darkness, would we ever recognize the light?

We’re currently amidst eclipse season, with the Virgo full moon lunar eclipse that happened on March 14 and the upcoming Aries new moon solar eclipse on March 29. Eclipses are a powerful time for introspection, change and transformation. They often bring a sense of disorientation, a feeling of being “in the dark.” But darkness isn’t always a bad thing.

Sometimes, it’s in the dark that we’re able to shift direction, to reevaluate the path we’re on, and to grow in ways we never imagined. It’s like walking through a forest at night—while you can’t see everything clearly, you can still trust that each step brings you closer to where you need to be.

It’s in these uncertain moments, in the shadow of the eclipse, that we may find our truest selves. If everything around us seems dark, perhaps we are the light we’ve been searching for. Maybe the key is to trust in the process and take one step at a time, even when the path is unclear.

Yoga has taught me that sometimes the most important thing we can do is to simply show up. To keep putting one foot in front of the other, even when the journey feels uncertain. It’s about embracing the present moment, trusting our intuition, and staying connected to our authenticity.

So, as we move through this eclipse season, let’s take a moment to reflect on Rumi’s wisdom:

Darkness isn’t permanent. It’s merely a phase... just like the moon transitions through her phases.

I continue to come back to this quote whenever I find myself feeling lost or unsure. It reminds me to trust in my own light, to keep following my truth, and to embrace the journey—no matter how uncertain it may seem. And so, I’ll keep moving forward, one step at a time, trusting that the step after that will reveal itself when the time is right.

I invite you to do the same, and trust that you are exactly where you need to be, even in the darkness. You are the light, and you are always guiding yourself home.