Amidst the tumultuous waves of chaos and the ever-changing rhythm of life, there is a profound truth that speaks to the core of our souls. It’s the reality of choice: we have the ability to create our own path through tragedy. During turbulent times, when everything seems to be covered in darkness and the shadows seem ready to consume us whole, this reality becomes evident.

Amid Israel’s current hardships, I have seen this fact deepen. There are people who radiate happiness during battle and the agony of kidnappings, their spirits unbroken in the face of hardship. In contrary, there are those who give in to hopelessness due to the weight of their circumstances. It raises an important question: are we really in charge of what happens outside of our own heads?

It seems that both affirmation and negative hold the key to the solution. Even while we can’t control how things happen outside of ourselves, we can control how we react inside. Essentially, our real power lies in controlling how we react inside. When we intentionally choose calm in the face of chaos, we create a haven for ourselves inside and a sanctuary of calm unaffected by the storm roaring outside.

But when the prospect of darkness approaches, how do we stay connected to the light? It starts with taking care of oneself and finding time to relax in the middle of chaos. These self-love practices, whether they involve taking a walk in nature, exploring the depths of our emotions, or simply enjoying the small things in life, are like lights in the darkest of times.

It’s also critical to use awareness in choosing the influences we allow into our lives. Choosing to limit our exposure to negativity and fear in a time when they are widespread can have a significant positive effect on our well-being. Rather, let us picture the life we want to lead, cultivating an appreciation for the small but meaningful gifts that we are blessed with every day.

When we expand consciousness and bring more light to Earth, the darkness vanishes. If a battle were supposed to last a month, it may have been terminated sooner, resulted in fewer casualties, or created an environment where the kidnapped would have returned quickly. In contrast, we unintentionally ignite the flames of despair and violence when we live in fear and agony.

To increase our light, we need to use intention as a powerful tool. Our reality is shaped by our attention, therefore by directing our thoughts and efforts toward goodness and light, we plant the seeds for a more promising future. This is a straightforward but important fact: the world we desire begins to grow inside of us.

So let us choose love over fear, light over darkness, and hope over despair, my dear friends. By doing this, we soften the invading darkness and raise our individual consciousness while simultaneously advancing humanity’s collective enlightenment. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” These words are timeless. And never forget that even the tiniest deeds have the power to spark transformation that goes well beyond our wildest dreams.