All great beginnings rarely come wrapped in sunshine—most are born in silence, fear, and the quiet company of the moon.
“All great beginnings start in the dark, when the moon greets you to a new day at midnight.” ~ Shannon L. Alder
Scratch beneath the surface of any human story and you’ll find scars, shadows, and nights that felt endless. We have all walked through the darkness—sometimes wondering if morning would ever arrive. I’ve experienced that darkness myself, pacing through nights filled with uncertainty, fear, and doubt.
But here is the good news: darkness is not permanent. It eventually gives way—sometimes to a soft glow like a moonlight dawn, sometimes to a brilliant sunrise. Darkness does not win when we choose to endure.
Courage is not loud; often it whispers. During our hardest nights, courage doesn’t always feel strong—it feels like holding on with the last thread of hope we have. Yet, if we keep moving forward, something remarkable happens: strength appears unexpectedly, like a gift.
When we finally emerge from the darkness, we don’t leave empty-handed. We bring with us the lessons it taught—wisdom, resilience, empathy, and compassion. The suffering may remain in memory, but when we use those lessons to help ourselves and others, we transform what once felt unbearable into light.
This is the rhythm of life—struggle, endurance, transformation. Darkness is not the enemy; it is the forge where light is shaped.
Motivating Reader Question
What lesson has a dark time in your life taught you that became a source of strength or light later on?