From Darkness to Light

Eyes closed, I wished for calm—a quiet mind and steady heartbeat—seeking relief from anxieties about personal challenges.

This reflects my need for inner peace when I feel stressed.

The soft creak of the wooden chair echoed in the quiet room.

The cool morning air touched my skin, bringing a sense of freshness.

With each breath, I noticed more details—the feel of the chair, the scent of the room, the faint ticking of the clock—helping me pay attention to my surroundings and stay focused on the present moment.

As I breathed in, I noticed the smell of morning dew mixing with coffee. These smells kept me calm before the day started.

Later, as I sat at my desk watching the clock digits blur during a late shift, I realized the passage of time and the press of exhaustion echoed the same longing for calm that had started my morning.

The hands of the clock moved in slow motion, making me feel each quickly passing hour, and deepening my sense of falling behind—another echo of my earlier search for peace.

These feelings are familiar to me. When demands mount or life shifts quickly, I naturally feel adrift.

Knowing others feel the same can comfort us and remind us we are not alone. It helps us find peace together.

I longed for a clear path away from recurring worries and confusion about my future, hoping for quiet reassurance and the sense of safety my anxious mind needed.

With eyes closed once more, I focused on the pressure of my feet on the ground and counted each breath, returning to these mindful actions that slowly settled my racing thoughts and worries, just as I had in the morning, when I had searched for moments of calm.

This grounding kept me steady as I waited for sunrise, holding onto the hope that opened my morning, hoping it would return after a long, unsure night.

Even when things were very quiet, I found small joy in what once seemed dull.

I smiled at my patience, glad for the quiet feeling inside that chose joy instead of being hard on myself.

With a renewed sense of hope, I welcomed the chance to start again and regain the energy I needed after a hard time, just as I had at sunrise.

In that moment, I felt alone with my thoughts, without support from friends

I found the strength to return my focus to the present-moment calm.

As I sat in this quiet, I invite you to join me in this simple habit: bringing attention to the small, tangible details in your current environment.

Pause and name one sound that surrounds you right now, perhaps the hum of a distant car or the rustle of leaves.

Let this one small thing bring you back to now, so we can share a moment of peace.

You could also feel the solid ground below or follow the steady rise and fall of your breath.

These small steps can help anchor your senses and bring you calmer.

Let this small act bring you back to now, letting us share a moment of calm.

Make this simple habit part of your life.

Panos, 2026

Les Coeurs Sombres Lumineux