There is Always Something

There is always something.

Every day, every week, every year, there’s something weighing down on us, something to be worried about. Either it’s moving or it’s finals or that presentation due next week. You take a break only when your mind is too exhausted to think of the ongoing list of tasks being flung at you without pause. You finish a task only to begin eight others.

This is why life feels short: we never stop. And it’s why it feels long: we do oh… so… very much.

Now despite how insane it may be to wrap your mind around the concept of all the things that must be done, and to even give yourself a break… worse still is to realize that it is not one person that is going through this madness, but everyone. Trillions of conflicts and duties overlapping throughout life after chaotic life… It’s easy sometimes to focus on our own priorities, as we should. But easy to forget others’ as well.

And then there are times where you become suddenly aware of the growing tension, of the problems of the loved ones around you, and of the lack of solutions despite your greatest efforts. Life can be so complicated.

Some things, however, are simple.

After a conflicting day like those I’ve mentioned above, me and my parents decided to watch a movie. A little cheese and crackers, a splash of wine (for the adultier adults), one very special teddy bear, and we were off to a movie night like several we’d had before.

The grand catch?

Mom wanted chocolate.

Which, I mean, I understood completely. If we’d had chocolate, though, trust me, it would have been on the coffee table.

I set out in search regardless and returned with a handful of the little chocolates my dad likes to put next to the cup of coffee he’ll give guests and, jokingly, our jar of Nutella with a spoon, just in case.

And the three of us, Dad having worked all day, Mom having juggled all our problems and her own all day, and me, well, stressing over nonsense all day…

We sat and we watched a movie.

That in itself was relaxing, until of course one of the characters points a gun at the protagonist. There I was, sitting on the edge of my seat, eyes glued to the screen…

Until I see movement in the corner of my eye and turn to see my parents, always mature and very clean, with their fingers covered in Nutella, effectively shattering my concentration on the movie.

That might be one of my favorite kinds of laughter: that sudden, unexpected guffaw.

So I joined them, naturally, taking the little spoon I’d brought, and there was just this feeling… a peace.

Life can be really messed up sometimes, but then there are these moments that come out of absolutely nowhere. They’re not huge or inspiring, they don’t light a fire beneath you or leave your head spinning.

They’re just good.

I guess what I’m getting at is that, yeah, there is always something. Every day, every week, every year. Responsibilities and chores and worries in the back of your mind.

But you know what? The same can be said for the good stuff too. A “Have a very good evening!” from a stranger, a hug with a sibling, a sentence that speaks to you in a book…

There is always something.