A ray of sunshine in the midst of a week-long of dreary gray skies.

The bold, loud opening of Beethoven’s fifth symphony paired with soft and tender melodies.

Light against darkness.

The absence of sound when you wander deeper into the forest.

The warmth and softness of your own bed after two nights of camping.

Tasting the enhanced sweetness of a watermelon after you put a pinch of salt on it.

Experiencing the lightness of a healthy body after recovering from the flu for a week.

Feeling gratitude for a kind and understanding boss when you’ve had a bad one.

Experiencing the joys of new growth after devastating losses.

…

Each of these moments reminds us of a fundamental truth: contrast adds depth, meaning, and richness to our lives.

Contrast shapes the peaks and valleys of our lives, filling our hearts with abundance, joy, and happiness precisely because we’ve also tasted loss, disappointment, and sadness.

As much as we try to avoid the lows, without having experienced the lows (or what you did not want), we wouldn’t appreciate the joys of the highs (or what you do want).

Everyday Lessons in Contrast

This truth about contrast often comes to light in everyday conversations.

Just last week, my colleague shared, “If it weren’t for the contrast, I wouldn’t be able to appreciate how much free time I used to have,” referring to the limited free time she now has as a mom to a 1-year-old daughter.

Reflecting on my own life, I’ve found countless moments where contrast has deepened my appreciation, such as:

• My now normal work hours when I used to work until 11pm every night
• The long consulting days for the skills I acquired and now use at work
• The sun-filled place I now live, compared to my old small and dark apartment
• An employee-focused culture of my current employer
• …

The list goes on.

Contrast, as uncomfortable as it may be at times, is a necessary part of life. It enables us to add new dimensionality to our everyday events and perhaps, identify welcoming changes, see the old in new lights and appreciate aspects of past events that we’ve taken for granted.

Understanding the power of contrast, I have now adopted a new attitude towards the “highs” and “lows” I’ll have in life.

How I’ve Reframed Highs and Lows

Highs: I’ve come to see highs (and lows) as a necessary part of life. It will not last forever so enjoy it while it lasts!

Lows: Rather than dredging it, avoiding it, or pretending it doesn’t exist or will never come, I now embrace it. Why? Embracing the lows allows me to see them as stepping stones to deeper joy, sharpening my gratitude when the highs return.

Reflecting On Your Own Contrast

Understanding the role of contrast in your own life can be transformative. Here are a few questions to reflect on:

• What are the highs and lows in your life to date? How do the lows or the highs enable you to experience the fullness of the other?
• How will you approach the peaks and valleys in your future?

By embracing contrast, you might just discover a richer, more meaningful way to navigate life’s peaks and valleys.