The Flickering Light Within: What Drives Us to Persevere

We put the holiday decorations away yesterday. In our living room, we also have these battery-operated candles with a remote. We keep them out all year, but turn them on a little more frequently during the holidays. Well, for the past few weeks, one candle just keeps turning itself back on! I switched it off using the remote and the switch underneath, and hours later, I would walk by and there it was, flickering away with a happy glow. This happened multiple times, including this morning.

Why am I sharing all this? It reminded me of the long, dark hours of winter and the extra comfort and hope that a glowing light can provide to guide us through. Also, a perfect analogy for how we move through and persevere during the wintery seasons of our lives. So if you’re feeling the cold, dark slump of winter, this newsletter may be for you. 

Our Relationship with Darkness

Did you know, the original Roman calendar had just 10 months? It went from March - December. January and February, deemed useless for military and agriculture, were left in a proverbial no man's land of time and darkness. Winter was tough, sometimes downright deadly, for much of society. With food, heat, and light all in short supply, many people hunkered down, hibernated, and focused on survival. 

There’s a psychological aspect at play here, too. Where are all my Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) friends at?! We know the science shows that a lack of sunlight can negatively impact our mood. Think also about how nature seems to pause in winter, trees without leaves, flowers, and animals mostly dormant. It can look a little lifeless and glum sometimes. That lack of life also bred fear into ancient people - the harvest ended, agriculture paused, and survival became more potentially tenuous.

Today's winters may not be as physically dangerous for us, but we are still part of the natural world and can feel its effects. Additionally, seasons notwithstanding, there are periods in life that feel like winter, such as the loss of a loved one, illness, or being out of work for a long time with no end in sight. We tend to associate darkness with bad, evil, unknown, and the things we hide away, including negative thoughts and feelings.

Let there be light

In seasons of darkness, light brings healing and hope. So much so that we celebrate it. We use fire and light to warm us, feed us, show us the path forward, and remind us that this too shall pass. The yule log (burning of the past), the menorah (light as miraculous endurance), and the Christmas tree (evergreen & lit up perseverance in the dark and cold), and many winter solstice practices use light as a central aspect of the ritual. 

Beyond survival, light represents clarity. Earlier in the year, Diwali (Hindu Festival of Lights), the symbolism of the Diya (oil lamp) speaks to triumph over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. In Kundalini yoga, we say "WaheGuru" - Wondrous teacher who guides me from the darkness to the light. You may have an outside teacher to inform, but your practice taps you into that inner guru, so that you guide yourself from the darkness to the light.  You also may have heard of the term “shadow work,” shining a light on our darker side to both heal old wounds and acknowledge all aspects of ourselves, so we can move forward in life more authentically.

Finally, light, fire can bring us into community. The campfire or hearth was the great gathering space to tell stories, solve problems, and connect with our fellow human beings. Despite our modern technology, we are still drawn to the comfort of the fireplace crackling away, the glory of the sunrise and sunset, and the warm glow of a flickering candle, like the one in my house that lights itself!

What Lights You Up?

The first few days after we put the holiday lights away, the house always feels extra stark and bare. When I awoke this morning, a few hours before sunrise, I was greeted by that little candle, flickering its warm glow in the darkness. It lit me up as I waited for my coffee water to boil. I felt gratitude for the support and opportunities in my life. A representation of the light ahead guiding me through as I stay the course to success, both personal and professional. 

It also reminded me of my WHY. I am lucky that I get to help shine a light for others through my work and through the community. When I see an employee feeling reinvigorated about their job after a journaling workshop wellness event or watching the tension drain from people’s shoulders as they move on their yoga mats, that is what lights me up about my career. It’s those thoughts that keep my inner flame burning when I have to do work tasks that aren’t my favorite.

What about you? What lights you up? What helps you persevere and dig out of the darkness?

Here are some journal prompts to get you started. I recommend you incorporate some fire and light into this writing moment. Find a quiet space. Light a candle (or a fire) and take a few minutes to gaze into the flame. This is a hatha yoga meditation ritual called Trataka (gazing or steady looking) that helps improve mental clarity and focus, sharpens memory, and helps you tap into meditation and mindfulness. Sit about 2 - 3 feet from the flame and keep your gaze steady and soft. Do this for a few minutes, up to 10 or 15 minutes, and then set a timer to write.

Journal Prompts

🔥 Perseverance as Light

• Where in my life am I still glowing, even if the flame feels small?

• What helps me protect my inner spark when the world feels dim?

• When have I walked through a dark season and found my way back to light?

• What practices or boundaries help me tend my flame instead of letting it burn out?

• What does “steady light” look like for me right now—not bright, not perfect, just steady?

✨ Hope as Illumination

• Where is light already returning in my life, even in subtle ways?

• What moments, people, or ideas make me feel lit up from the inside?

• If hope were a lantern I carried, what would it illuminate first?

• What future possibility feels like a sunrise on the horizon?

• What soft, gentle light is guiding me forward today?e

  
  

I hope these prompts help light your way forward (sorry, I love my puns) as we head into 2026. If you feel called to share, send me a DM with what lights you up.

If you want to spark more wellness in your workspace, let's talk. I offer a range of experiences from one-off workshops on your company wellness day, classes to blow off a little steam and bond with your team, and longer programs customized for your company's needs. Email me at amy@myaspirezen.com to learn more.