Paradoxes

This morning's sunrise was so breathtaking. There seemed to be a golden paintbrush touching every single thing in the sky. It was really golden with a touch of pink. I found myself staring at the brightest part of the colour, the place where the golden light was most intense. When I looked away there were dark spots where the light had been. That got me thinking about paradoxes.

Do you ever notice that in order to describe something accurately you often need to use it's complete opposite as a reference point? Such is the power of paradox. In order to make sense of one thing, you need to be able to contemplate the flip side. In the case of light and dark, the brightest light stands out in the darkest night. Think of a brilliant dark night sky and the gazillions of stars that pepper throughout the darkness. They are only visible because it is so dark. You can't even see a minute fraction of those same stars when you are in a brightly lit city at night. Paradoxically, it is the darkness that allows you to differentiate the light. But you don't need to get rid of the darkness to see the light, you only need to bring light to the darkness. The metaphor is powerful. You don't need to get rid of those things, people or events that weigh you down, you only need to bring your own light to the situation and you may very well find the juxtaposition quite powerful.