As we approach the darkest time of the year for many of us, we are encouraged by the hope offered through various faiths and the coming of light into the darkness of the world. For both believers and non-believers alike, this season serves as a reminder of the enduring symbolism of light overcoming darkness — a concept that not only forms the basis of the Christian faith but also influenced the historical division of time into B.C. and A.D. Yet, this year feels a bit different.
It seems as though the world is beginning to awaken to a new light after a period during which the truth was tightly controlled by those in power. While this has been humanity’s way since the beginning of civilization, the rise of unfiltered social media in many parts of the world has become both a blessing and a curse, depending on one’s perspective.
For those open to seeking information from various sources and with access to different viewpoints, a clearer vision emerges of how the world could be — not just how it has been. For many of us, the development of cryptocurrency has been a catalyst for imagining how money and systems can function differently, with less centralized control and greater trust. While bad actors have derailed many positive aspects of crypto, the light of its potential remains, and more people are beginning to see it. Even new world leaders are discussing Bitcoin as a legitimate reserve for the people.
However, until people begin to wake up on a larger scale, progress will likely remain slow. Perhaps this is a good thing, or perhaps it is simply a relic of the past. In many ways, our DNA has trained us to stay with the herd, as straying too far has often led to danger. This has been nature’s way — but maybe that is beginning to change.
I often reflect on my own journey as someone self-employed. Forty years ago, this path was not one that most people were encouraged to take. Using an analogy, life seemed to exist on a spectrum similar to a traffic light — red, yellow, and green. Most people were encouraged to live a “red-light life,” following all the rules and societal norms, which I wholeheartedly support in principle. However, there was also an unspoken message that success was defined by education, saving for retirement, and working hard at a stable job. These ideals largely benefit an elite group of institutions — universities, corporations, and employers. The result is a safe, predictable life that often feels unfulfilling, mainly serving to enrich others: professors, administrators, governments, and corporate executives. It’s a life where you “pay to play” and are often left with the crumbs. While not inherently bad, it can limit your potential, much like a red light stops progress.
Some people recognize this and decide to step away from the herd, entering a “yellow-light life.” This phase is a transition — a time to take chances, absorb new information, and pursue happiness while still keeping the herd in sight. It’s a time of conflict between the need for security and the desire for freedom. There are no definitive answers, as personal experiences, cultural norms, obligations, and circumstances all influence the direction one chooses.
The “green-light life” is the most daring and liberating experience of all. In this phase, you no longer compare yourself to the herd because you’ve lost sight of it entirely. This is the key: you stop measuring your life by others’ standards and instead forge your own path. For some, this freedom can be overwhelming, leading to self-destructive, risky behavior. But for those who embrace it — the dreamers, inventors, pioneers, and explorers — the world looks entirely different. Their motivation is often less about material gain and more about curiosity, the thrill of the unknown, and the courage to venture into uncertainty. They fully understand that nothing is guaranteed — the future, health, and even the path ahead are all unknown. The illusion of security keeps many from progressing, but in this season of darkness, it is the green lights that will lead us forward.
Make no mistake: every type of person — red, yellow, and green — is essential to making a civilization work. However, the sooner one discovers that the journey, not the destination, is the purpose of life, the closer they come to uncovering their true place in this incredible experience we call life, even if only for the brief moment we have to live it.
