Finding Light in the Shadows: Choosing Positivity When Life Knocks You Down

In today’s world it can feel almost impossible to stay positive. With so much heartbreak, conflict, and uncertainty around us, the negatives often seem louder than the positives.

When something bad happens in our own lives—a loss of a job, an accident, or an unexpected change—it’s easy to get stuck in “why me?” thinking. But what if, instead of focusing only on the loss, we shifted the narrative and looked for even the smallest glimmer of good?

I learned this lesson in 2021 at the Tokyo Paralympics. During the road race, another rider crashed in front of me. I had nowhere to go and hit the ground at about 50 km/hr, going downhill in the rain. My injuries were serious. It was my first ever DNF (Did Not Finish), and instead of flying home with my teammates, I found myself in a Japanese hospital with a chest tube and two weeks of recovery ahead of me.

Me on the ground in yellow.

I couldn’t change what had happened, but I could choose how to respond. And here’s the silver lining: because of the pandemic, every other athlete had to leave Tokyo immediately after the event. I was the only one who got to stay and explore the city. With the help of Gillian, one of our staff, I experienced Tokyo in a way I never would have otherwise—sights, people, and moments that remain unforgettable.

The truth is, life will throw challenges at us. We can’t always control what happens, but we can control how we see it.

Something for you to try:

Next time you face a setback, pause and ask yourself:

What is one small positive I can find in this situation?

What can I learn from this that will help me later?

Who has shown up for me through this challenge?

Write down your answers. They might not erase the pain, but they can help you reclaim some light, even in the shadows.

“Positivity isn’t about ignoring the pain, it’s about discovering the strength to find light within it.” ~ Carol Cooke AM PLY