Diwali was on October 23rd this year. It fell on a Thursday which was a weekday, so I couldn’t do too much. But I did wish my family and friends and my mother did her religious festivities at our home. I went home that weekend and we lit candles and celebrated my mother’s birthday.

What is Diwali?

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights that is celebrated during the autumn every year. It marks the new year for Hindus and the festival spiritually means the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

Lighting Candles and Filling my Life with Light

When I lit candles at my home, I couldn’t help but reflect. This Diwali was a vastly different experience from my previous ones.

Diwali the last couple years weren’t great.

The major turning point in our lives came in November 2012. Without going into too much detail, my family decided to sell our small business after my father’s stroke and it was not easy to manage it. But instead the buyers took advantage of my father and before our eyes, the business was snatch away through manipulation.

Rediscovering Joy and Happiness Through Forgiveness

My family went through a lot after this experience. But this year, something clicked in my heart and I finally forgave the couple involved. I realized I had to release this pain in order to let the beauty and happiness to enter my family’s lives again.

After some time, this Diwali felt special. My family’s lives are being filled with light again. And I hope this starts the beginning of a brand new beautiful beginning for me and my family. After all, Diwali means to overcome our own darkness and fears, too.

What are your thoughts on this post? Please share with me in the comments.