"Il vaut mieux allumer une petite bougie que de maudire l'obscurité"

Sometimes, when you're faced with a tough situation, it feels easier to just complain about how bad it is. But think about it—wouldn't it make more sense to take a small step to make things better instead of just sitting in frustration?

This idea has been around for a while, and it's super relevant even today. Picture this: during a power outage, you could either sit and complain about how dark it is or you could light a candle. That tiny candle won’t light up the whole house, but it will make a difference. It’s all about taking action, however small, instead of focusing on the problem.

Let’s travel back a bit. This wisdom has been echoed by many cultures and thinkers. An ancient Chinese proverb goes, “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” It’s been used in various contexts, from personal growth to social change. Imagine civil rights activists in the '60s. They faced enormous challenges and injustices. They could have easily given up, but instead, they took small, meaningful actions. These actions accumulated and sparked significant changes.

Now, let’s bring this idea into a real-life scenario. Think about Malala Yousafzai. She wanted education, not just for herself but for other girls in her region. The darkness she faced was immense—threats, violence, and severe oppression. Malala didn't let that stop her. She started by writing a blog, just one blog, to share her story and the stories of other girls. That was her small candle. It didn’t immediately solve everything, but it cast enough light to start a movement. Today, she’s a global advocate for education, but it all started with one small action.

So, how can you apply this in your own life? Start small. If you’re overwhelmed at work, focus on completing one tiny task rather than stressing about the entire to-do list. If you want to get fit, don’t aim for running a marathon right away. Start with a short walk. Small actions are manageable, and they build momentum. The idea is that these small victories can lead to bigger successes.

Let’s say your friend, Jamie, is struggling with this exact thing. Jamie feels stuck in a rut, complaining about how monotonous life has become. You’re at a coffee shop, and Jamie’s venting. You could tell Jamie about how you tackled your own rut last year. You started by setting a tiny goal—to read one page of a book each day. It seemed almost insignificant, but it gave you something to look forward to and slowly rekindled your love for reading. That one small change made a big difference.

In the end, the essence of this quote is about action over inaction. It’s a reminder that even the smallest effort can start to change the situation. So next time you find yourself stuck or complaining, think of that small candle. What’s one tiny thing you can do right now to make it just a bit better? Go ahead and light that candle. You might be surprised by how much it can illuminate.