Don’t Let the World Steal Your Glow

Don’t Let the World Steal Your Glow

By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar

Life’s not always kind, is it? Some days, it’s like walking through a storm with no umbrella. You’re just trying to get through, dodging raindrops and puddles, and all the while, folks around you seem determined to pull you deeper into the mud. But listen don’t let their gloom become your baggage. Don’t let what’s happening around you twist your spirit or drain your joy.

Negativity is a sly little thing. It doesn’t come at you yelling or waving its arms it sneaks in quietly. One little complaint turns into two, and before long, it feels like your thoughts are on a loop, all frustration and no gratitude. And when you’re surrounded by others who live in that headspace? Whew, it’s like being in a room full of smoke. You start choking on what’s not even yours to carry.

I’ve been there, stuck in that haze. It wasn’t that long ago, either. I’d gotten to a place where every setback felt personal, and every challenge felt too big. I started snapping at people I loved, and my prayers when I even said them were filled with complaints instead of hope. But then something happened.

One Sunday morning, I was sitting on my porch, sipping coffee that had gone cold. My neighbor Miss Loretta walked by. She’s one of those old souls who carries wisdom in her pocket like loose change. She stopped, looked at me, and said, “Baby, don’t let this world make you bitter. Sweet tea don’t come from lemons without sugar. You just gotta decide which one you wanna be.”

Her words hit me like a hymn sung deep and slow. I realized I’d let life’s hardships turn me sour. I was letting the noise of the world drown out the melody in my heart. And for what? To feel justified in my frustration? To match the energy of those who couldn’t see the good in anything?

That was the day I decided to turn it around. It wasn’t some big, dramatic change. It started small like catching myself when I wanted to complain and finding something to be thankful for instead. On tough days, I’d remind myself of the moments of beauty: the sound of kids laughing down the street, the way the morning light danced through the trees, or the smell of something good cooking in the kitchen.

Bitterness is like a splinter. It’s small, but if you leave it there, it festers. Complaining, too it’s like a bad habit that spreads, infecting your whole outlook. But when you shift your focus, when you make the choice to see the blessings tucked between the struggles, everything starts to feel lighter.

Think about it like this: life is a jazz band. Sometimes, the rhythm gets off, and the notes clash. But you don’t stop playing you adjust, you find the beat again, and you let the music flow.

I’ve learned that joy isn’t something that just happens to you. It’s something you fight for. It’s a decision you make every day. When life throws you shade, you’ve got to be the one to find the light. And when people around you are stuck in their storm clouds, you’ve got to be the one who carries the umbrella.

Sure, there’ll always be days when the weight feels heavy. But don’t let the hard times define you. You’re more than your struggles. You’re a reflection of the Creator’s love, a spark of light in a world that often feels too dark.

The next time negativity tries to creep in, pause. Look around. Find one thing just one that makes your heart feel warm. Hold onto that. Protect it. Because that little spark? That’s your glow. And no storm, no situation, no person has the power to take it away unless you let them.

So, baby, don’t let the world change who you are. Don’t let the noise drown out your song. Keep shining. Keep loving. And remember you were made for joy, not bitterness.