Finding your light

What is your inspiration? In moments of defeat or obscurity, what is that facet of life that never fails to cheer you up? 

When people ask me what my favorite animal is, I always give an unconventional answer. Yes, I love puppies with my whole heart and the sight of any fluffy animal plasters an automatic smile on my face. Yet, I always say my favorite animal is a firefly—and I will always stand by this answer. 

I found my love for fireflies a few years ago when my younger brother was unrelentingly swatting at them. I consider myself a romanticist of life, a day-dreamer, a writer that visualizes a complex story in every moment; so when my brother was pushing away the fireflies in our front yard, I envisioned them as the shimmering tribe of heroes that are on a mission, and my brother as the obnoxious villain. 

Being the romanticist I am, I admire fireflies for being such an unwavering symbol of hope. Fireflies shine in the dark—they make light for themselves when there is none—and I always found this sentiment to be so inspiring. Sure, there’s a scientific reason for this firefly function that isn’t so symbolic, but I prefer to delve into a sentimentalized version of existence. Such notions and symbols embedded within the twine of life are what keep me going when times are hard. 

If a firefly can shine light through the dark, then so can I. I can be that light for myself, and I can keep it burning for those around me. 

I often think back to this belief when I’m in need of inspiration, or I try to be an optimist and deep-dive into the pool of my infinite thoughts in search of the positive ones. Occasionally, I latch on to some negative ones too, but I try not to pull them along. Sometimes I need an outward source of light, though; an outer fount of inspiration. 

Kind words from a friend, warm smiles from a stranger, and a prayer that everything will be just fine all rejuvenate me with a jolt of gratification when I feel drained. Even amongst the chaos of our world, you will continue to find people looking out for one another. The existence of altruism makes me feel less alone, and the prospect of forgiveness gives me a push to try again. 

Above all, I reassure myself that whatever hurdle I am facing has been overcome by others. If you look on social media, you can find a goldmine of positive, inspirational quotes—yes, I know you’ve seen them. They’re typically dressed with a pretty background, or decorated with aesthetic pictures that are tailored for your perfect feed. These quotes, or passages, may seem painfully two-dimensional, especially at first glance; but on those days when everything feels upside down, sometimes reading something so relevant really hits home. Not only do the words help in healing, but the knowledge that someone else has gone through something similar brings with it a sense of comfort and peace.

So, as we approach the halfway point of the semester, it might feel as though you are drowning in the weight of never-ending tasks and exhausting exams. I hope that this column has evoked a sense of inspiration and courage within you, or that at the very least, you now have a newfound respect for fireflies! 

Second-Year Freshman is an Opinion column used to explore the unique experiences of Sophomore students who studied remotely their freshman year during the coronavirus pandemic, and are now experiencing campus life for the first time during the 2021-2022 academic year.