Sometimes I justify grumbling and complaining by disguising them as righteousness: “How awful! What is this world coming to?” It seems there should be a line somewhere and justice and fairness should rule. People should pay for their crimes—an eye for an eye mentality. But does my desire for revenge help? What is just in a world that has been inured to violence, murder and greed?

Just by asking these questions, I notice in myself a very unsettling commotion. My stomach churns, my shoulders tense and my head hurts. How does love grow in such an astringent atmosphere? Is the hatred engendered in me going to fix things?

Never having been the target of focused hatred, it’s easy for me to sit back and say that I would be forgiving, I would turn the other cheek. Would I? Do I, even in small matters?

All I can do now is send positive energy and love to whoever needs it the most. I can “be the change I want to see in the world,” as Gandhi said.

There is darkness and there is light. It is hard to believe at this time of year when the days are getting shorter, but the light will shine in the darkness.