Michael Landau

October 1st, 2025

“Small lights have a way of being seen in a dark world.”

Neal A. Maxwell

Photo: Pixabay

Bear with me. I’m going to get woo-woo (just a little).

If you’re scientifically inclined and a vowed skeptic, you’re allowed to frown and roll your eyes. I’m fine with that.

But if you keep reading, you’ll understand that what I have to say is quite concrete. Simple things that can be done to create change in the 3D world of skin and bones.

We’re living in dark times. Violence and fear are common these days. Us against them is the norm.

When I say dark, I don’t refer just to the figurative meaning of darkness. Being in chronic stress, uncertainty and fear actually makes us blind. We’ve stopped seeing opportunity, a foreseeable future, or simply hope. We grope for safety because we don’t know the right thing to do anymore.

Our sensation of safety depends on an expectation. We feel safe when we know how things work, so that we know how to act to get a desired outcome. This is not the case right now. Things are changing, the future is uncertain. The way we used to live doesn’t seem to be adequate any more.

We’re walking without seeing the next step. We’re groping in the dark.

The thing about darkness is that a single small light can make it disappear. Light one candle in a large dark room, and it won’t be dark any more.

What it means in practical terms is that we don’t have to change the majority of humanity. A critical mass can be quite small. This means that change is possible. Each of our small lights counts.

What I’m saying is, there’s hope, and there’s work to do.

The light each of us can spread into the world around us doesn’t have to be monumental. You don’t have to be Mozart or Gandhi. You spread light (or intensify darkness) with every interaction.

When you call a friend and truly listen, you bring some light into the world.

When you cook for someone you love.

When you share a positive message. When you smile. When you say hi to your neighbor.

You can even spread some light when you’re alone.

When you exercise, when you take care of yourself, eat well, sleep well, or listen to music you love… Whenever you connect with the matrix of love that connects us all, you intensify the light. Even when it’s self-love. Especially then.

Whenever you avoid unnecessary conflict, turn off the news, refuse to engage in hate speech, or really listen to the “opposition”, you expel some darkness, you cast another vote for light.

In my world, we do it through movement. We slow down, we pay attention, we focus, we take care of ourselves. We create a learning space and we improve. We become calmer, more centered and less reactive, and this radiates and affects a circle around us. We create positive energy. We cast a vote.

Don’t stop spreading your light!

Want to do it my way, through movement and self-care?

Join me in Persistent Growth. We do it every day. Dedicate three minutes a day to intensifying your light.

You heal yourself, and you heal the planet. It is very small, and yet, it makes all the difference.