Light vs. Dark- Which One is Reality?
By, Hallie Thompson
I think a reason why reality shows are so popular, is because we crave the truth.
Not that reality shows represent the total truth- but the reason why these shows, such as the ‘Housewives this or that’, ‘Kardashians’ or even shows like ‘Hoarders’ or ‘Intervention’- attract us viewers like moths to a light- is because we are curious creatures as well as social creatures (as Facebook has plainly proven)- and we want to see how others really live.
Can we relate to them? Does it make us feel like we know them? Can it spark our imagination of what we would do in that situation? Or in some cases- does it just make us feel better about our own lives, values and beliefs?
I can’t call myself a ‘fan’ of these shows (I rarely have time to watch TV except late at night) however I have gotten sucked into them- like a train wreck I just can’t seem to look away from.
There have a been a number of times while watching these shows, where I have caught myself sitting there on the couch with my mouth wide open in disbelief at some of the things these real life “characters” have done or said.
Always looking for the lesson- where is it here?
I think there are several- however- I bring up the topic of reality shows more to point out the fact that we as human beings crave the truth.
(Whether we are actually getting it from these shows is irrelevant- I want to talk about our desire for truth and internal struggle with reality).
Keep reading.
Though we crave truth- we also crave ‘goodness’. We hope that there is truth in goodness- but fear this is not ‘reality’ and therefore- force ourselves to also look at the negative in life.
There have been times in history when we were willing to, as a society, collectively walk around in denial- as a means of keeping things ‘nice’ and keeping up appearances.
What comes to mind is the 1950s. I (as do many people) love this time period.
Everything we see on film and in pictures from this time, portray a perfect life- where things and people seem nice and neat and morals and traditional family values prevailed. People looked happy.
Does the perfect little picture the 1950s portrays, indicate people were just in denial- they weren’t actually as happy as they appeared, but simply did not give attention to or talk about the dark side of life?
We don’t like ‘phony’ or fake- but gosh don’t we all crave goodness? Don’t we all crave happy endings? I’m afraid we are getting lopsided these days. In our attempt to fix and acknowledge our problems, we seem to forget to remember and acknowledge the existence and possibilities of goodness in life.
A question of truth is- ‘do we believe happy endings are really possible? Is this reality?’
I say yes.
It is because of my faith and my yearning for truth- that I have come to look for something to base my beliefs upon- and this has come from the Bible.
There is a verse I believe sheds some light on this life question regarding- ‘is goodness and happiness reality- or is that is simply being in denial because the real truth is- in life darkness and heartaches and sadness exists.’
The verse that I believe helps answer this question comes from Ephesians-
“But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.” ~Ephesians 5:13
And also this one-
“(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),” ~Ephesians 5:9
Accepting goodness, happiness, truth and hope for a happy future in life is simply choosing light. It is choosing morality, values, integrity, gratitude, joy, belief, faith, forgiveness.
Does making that choice mean you are living in denial and not facing reality?
No- the fact that ‘darkness’ is real only proves the point that light must also be real- and the choice is therefore ours as to which one we choose to walk in.
Which is your reality?
If we seek the truth- we want to ‘see’ what’s really there in the world and in our lives- and as it says in the Bible- truth is seen in the light.
Wouldn’t it make sense to then choose to walk in the light?
Is it not easier to ‘see’ what’s really there when you turn on the lights in a dark room?
Not only is it easier to see when the lights are on- think about what a room looks like when it’s dark. Your eyes somewhat adjust and you try to make out the dark shapes and shadows.
If you allow your imagination to wander, those dark shapes and shadows can begin to look like monsters and scary entities.
In the darkness- you see things that aren’t really there. Whereas, when you turn on the light- the truth becomes visible.
If you really want to be out of denial- and live in the truth- choose to walk in the light. Choose to think positive, choose to be happy, choose to love, choose to focus on what you have and be grateful for it- instead of focusing on what you don’t have, choose to surround yourself and protect as much goodness as possible- and choose to have God- your Creator- in your life- every minute of every day.
You want truth? Turn on the light in your life. <3
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