Shedding the Garments of Darkness.

Shedding the Garments of Darkness.

By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar

We live in a world where it’s easy to hold onto spite, to cling to anger and bitterness, letting them seep into our hearts and minds until they shape our actions. Too often, we mistake this behavior for strength, thinking it shields us from the wounds of disappointment and betrayal. But in reality, spite is a thief that robs us of our joy, leaving us burdened with misfortune. To do things out of spite is to inherit the very darkness we wield against others. It is to embrace a path where no light shines, where our steps are haunted by the consequences of our own negativity.

It’s important to be clear: I’m not saying we should never feel anger or disappointment. These emotions are natural and unavoidable parts of life. Anger, in particular, is a powerful force that, when used wisely, can drive us to make positive changes, to stand up against injustices, and to defend those who cannot defend themselves. Disappointment, too, is something we all encounter, a reminder of our humanity and the fallibility of the world around us. But there is a distinct difference between feeling anger or disappointment and letting these emotions control us, turning them into weapons of spite, hatred, or pettiness.

When we allow ourselves to be governed by such dark emotions, we lose sight of who we truly are. We are not meant to be vessels of bitterness or malice; we are meant to rise above these destructive forces, to let go of the negativity that binds us, and to embrace the light that heals and uplifts. Being mean, hateful, bitter, or petty is not just unhealthy—it is corrosive to our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Physically, carrying these dark emotions takes a toll on our bodies. Studies have shown that chronic anger and bitterness can lead to a host of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and weakened immune function. Our bodies are not designed to sustain prolonged negativity; it wears us down, depletes our energy, and leaves us vulnerable to illness. Just as a garden choked with weeds cannot flourish, our bodies cannot thrive when they are burdened with the poison of hate and spite.

Mentally, these emotions cloud our judgment and distort our perception of reality. When we are consumed by spite or pettiness, we are unable to see clearly; our thoughts become fixated on revenge or retribution, and we lose sight of what truly matters. This mental fog can lead us to make poor decisions, ones that are driven by impulse rather than wisdom. It is like trying to navigate a stormy sea without a compass—inevitably, we find ourselves lost, adrift in a sea of confusion and regret.

Emotionally, holding onto these dark feelings isolates us from the people who care about us. Bitterness and hate create walls around our hearts, making it difficult for us to connect with others on a deep and meaningful level. We push people away, either out of fear that they will hurt us or out of a misguided sense of self-righteousness. Over time, this emotional isolation can lead to loneliness and despair, as we find ourselves cut off from the love and support that we so desperately need.

Spiritually, the impact of these negative emotions is perhaps the most profound. Our connection with the Creator is a sacred bond, one that is nurtured by love, compassion, and kindness. When we allow ourselves to be consumed by spite or bitterness, we sever that connection, blocking the flow of divine grace into our lives. The light of the Creator cannot reach us when our hearts are shrouded in darkness; we are left stumbling in the shadows, disconnected from the source of all that is good and holy.

Imagine your soul as a beautiful, delicate fabric, woven with threads of love, compassion, and grace. When you allow spite, bitterness, or pettiness to take root in your heart, it is as if you are allowing dark stains to mar that fabric. Over time, these stains grow and spread, until the beauty of your soul is obscured, hidden beneath layers of darkness. This darkness does not just affect you; it radiates outwards, impacting the lives of those around you. Like hot ice, this coldness burns anyone who comes too close, scorching the blessings that would otherwise flow into your life.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. You have the power to cleanse your heart, to wash away the stains of darkness, and to step into the light of love and grace. The Creator is always ready to help you in this journey, to lift you out of the shadows and guide you back to the path of light. All you need to do is reach out, to open your heart to the possibility of healing and transformation.

To rise above the negative forces and energies that seek to drag us down, we must first be willing to let go of the garments of hate, bitterness, pettiness, and meanness that we have wrapped around ourselves. These garments may feel comforting in their familiarity, but they are suffocating us, blocking the light and warmth that we so desperately need. It is time to cast them aside, to step into the light and allow the Creator to wash us clean.

As we do this, we begin to see the world in a new way. No longer are we driven by the need to retaliate or get even; instead, we are guided by love, compassion, and understanding. We see that those who hurt us are often themselves hurting, and we choose to respond with kindness rather than cruelty. We recognize that the petty slights and grievances that once consumed us are insignificant in the grand scheme of things, and we let them go, freeing ourselves from their toxic grip.

By letting go of spite, we open ourselves up to the possibility of true happiness and peace. We create space in our hearts for joy, for love, and for the blessings that the Creator has in store for us. We become like a river that flows freely, unencumbered by the debris of negativity that once blocked our path. This flow of positive energy nourishes our souls, strengthens our connection with the divine, and allows us to live our lives with a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Letting go of these dark emotions is not always easy. It requires humility, self-reflection, and a willingness to change. But it is a journey worth taking, for it leads us to a place of light and love, where we are no longer burdened by the weight of spite or bitterness. It is a journey that brings us closer to the Creator, closer to the people we care about, and closer to the best version of ourselves.

So I come to you today, not as someone who has all the answers, but as someone who has walked this path and experienced the transformation that comes from shedding the garments of darkness. I have felt the coldness of bitterness and the burning sting of spite, and I have seen how these emotions can drain the life from our souls. But I have also experienced the warmth of love, the healing power of forgiveness, and the peace that comes from letting go.

We are too beautiful of a people to be so dark and grouchy. Our souls were not created to dwell in the shadows; they were created to shine with the light of love and compassion. We are meant to be a reflection of the divine, to carry within us the spark of the Creator’s grace, and to share that light with the world. But we cannot do this if we are weighed down by spite, bitterness, or hate. We cannot be the people we were meant to be if we allow these dark emotions to control us.

It is time to let go, to release the negativity that has held us captive for so long, and to embrace the light that is waiting to fill our hearts. It is time to reach out to the hands of creation, to allow the Creator to wash away the darkness and to guide us back to the path of love and grace. We are not meant to be cold and distant, like hot ice that burns all who come near. We are meant to be warm, loving, and compassionate, to radiate the light of the Creator in all that we do.

So I ask you, as you read these words, to take a moment to reflect on your own heart. Are you holding onto spite, bitterness, or hate? Are you allowing these dark emotions to dictate your actions and to shape your relationships? If so, I encourage you to let them go, to release them into the hands of the Creator, and to open yourself up to the possibility of healing and transformation.

The journey may not be easy, but it is one that is worth taking. For as you shed the garments of darkness, you will find that your heart becomes lighter, your soul becomes brighter, and your connection with the Creator becomes stronger. You will find that you are no longer burdened by the weight of negativity, but instead, you are filled with the light of love and grace. You will discover that the blessings that once seemed out of reach are now within your grasp, and that your life is filled with a sense of peace and fulfillment that you never thought possible.

In this new light, you will see the world differently. You will no longer be driven by the need to retaliate or to hold onto grudges. Instead, you will be guided by love, compassion, and understanding. You will see that those who hurt you are often themselves hurting, and you will choose to respond with kindness rather than cruelty. You will recognize that the petty slights and grievances that once consumed you are insignificant in the grand scheme of things, and you will let them go, freeing yourself from their toxic grip.

In the end, the choice is yours. You can continue to hold onto spite, bitterness, and hate, allowing them to control your life and to dictate your actions. Or you can choose to let them go, to release them into the hands of the Creator, and to embrace the light of love and grace. The choice is yours alone, and it will determine the course of your life. Will you continue down a path of darkness, where spite and bitterness cast long shadows over your every step? Or will you choose to step into the light, where love and compassion guide you, and where the warmth of the Creator's grace fills your heart with peace and joy?

When we choose to let go of these dark emotions, we open ourselves to a transformation that affects every aspect of our lives. Physically, our bodies respond to the release of negativity with renewed energy and vitality. The burden of chronic anger and bitterness lifts, allowing us to breathe more freely, to rest more deeply, and to experience a sense of well-being that we may have forgotten was possible. As the dark clouds of spite dissipate, our health improves, and we begin to feel lighter, as though a weight has been lifted from our shoulders.

Mentally, we find clarity where once there was confusion. The fog of negative thinking that once clouded our minds begins to clear, revealing a landscape of possibilities that we had not previously seen. Decisions that once seemed fraught with difficulty become easier to make, as our minds are no longer preoccupied with thoughts of revenge or retribution. We begin to see the world as it truly is, not through the distorted lens of bitterness, but through the clear and calm perspective of wisdom and understanding.

Emotionally, the transformation is even more profound. As we let go of spite and hatred, we make room in our hearts for love and compassion. We reconnect with the people around us in meaningful ways, breaking down the walls that once isolated us and opening ourselves up to the joy of human connection. Our relationships become richer and more fulfilling, as we approach them with kindness and empathy rather than suspicion and hostility. We learn to forgive, not just others but also ourselves, and in that forgiveness, we find the freedom to move forward with our lives.

Spiritually, the benefits of releasing these dark emotions are immeasurable. Our connection with the Creator deepens, as the barriers we have erected between ourselves and the divine are dismantled. We begin to experience the presence of the Creator in our lives in a more profound and tangible way, feeling the warmth of divine love and the guidance of divine wisdom in all that we do. Our prayers become more powerful, our meditation more peaceful, and our sense of spiritual purpose more clear. We find ourselves walking in the light, no longer stumbling in the shadows, and we feel a profound sense of peace and fulfillment that can only come from being in harmony with the Creator.

To reach this place of light and love, we must be willing to let go of the past, to release the hurt and the anger that have kept us bound in darkness. This does not mean that we forget the wrongs that have been done to us, nor does it mean that we allow ourselves to be mistreated or abused. Rather, it means that we choose to rise above these experiences, to not let them define us or control our actions. It means that we choose to walk in the light, even when the world around us seems dark.

Imagine a garden at the height of summer, vibrant with life and color, where every flower and tree reaches toward the sun, soaking in its warmth and light. Now imagine that same garden choked with weeds, the flowers and trees struggling to grow, their roots tangled and their leaves wilted. The difference between the two is clear: one is a place of beauty and life, while the other is a place of struggle and stagnation. Our hearts are like that garden, and the choice is ours: will we allow the weeds of spite, bitterness, and hate to choke out the beauty of our souls, or will we cultivate a garden of love, compassion, and grace?

When we choose to let go of spite, bitterness, and hate, we are choosing to tend to our garden, to pull up the weeds and to nurture the seeds of love and compassion that have been planted within us. We are choosing to create a space in our hearts where the light of the Creator can shine, where we can grow and thrive, and where we can share that light with the world around us. This is not a one-time decision, but a daily practice, a commitment to live in the light and to reject the darkness that seeks to consume us.

As you reflect on these words, I encourage you to take a moment to look within your own heart. What dark emotions are you holding onto? What weeds are choking the beauty of your soul? And what steps can you take today to begin the process of letting go, of releasing the spite, bitterness, and hate that have kept you bound in darkness?

Perhaps it begins with a simple act of forgiveness, a decision to release the grudge that you have been holding onto for so long. Or perhaps it begins with an act of kindness, a choice to respond to a hurtful word or action with love rather than with spite. Whatever it may be, know that each small step you take toward the light brings you closer to the peace, joy, and fulfillment that you are seeking.

Remember that you are not alone in this journey. The Creator is with you every step of the way, ready to guide you, to support you, and to lift you up when you stumble. All you need to do is reach out, to extend your hand to the hands of creation, and to trust that you will be led back to the path of light.

In the end, the choice to let go of spite, bitterness, and hate is a choice to live a life of love, compassion, and grace. It is a choice to be the person you were created to be, to reflect the light of the Creator in all that you do, and to share that light with the world around you. It is a choice to embrace the beauty of your soul, to cultivate a garden of love and compassion, and to walk in the light, no matter how dark the world around you may seem.

And so, as we close this reflection, I leave you with these words of inspiration and encouragement:

In the light of love, the darkness fades away.

With every act of kindness, we shine brighter every day.

Let go of the bitterness, embrace the warmth of grace,

And find within your heart a peaceful, sacred space.

As you go forth from this moment, may you carry the light of love within you, may you shed the garments of darkness that have weighed you down, and may you walk in the path of grace and compassion, knowing that you are guided and supported by the Creator in all that you do.

Have a great day.

Kateb Shunnar 😃 😊 ❤️