“Most of our lives are a series of images, they pass us by like towns on a highway. But sometimes a moment stuns us as it happens and we know that this instant is more than a fleeting image. We know that this moment, every part of it, we live on forever.” - Lucas Scott, "One Tree Hill."
I’m sitting on my bed scarfing down a ham sandwich and thinking, “I am supposed to be in this moment right now.” My bed, my sandwich, and me. As you are reading this, you are in the exact moment you are supposed to be in. We’re all content. We can all ask ourselves, are all these moments specifically made for us? Let’s all think about it that way for a few minutes. It gives us a sense of purpose that we are all here for our own unique reasons and causes. I’m a firm believer that if these moments are specifically made for us, then the tragic and hectic moments are made for us too.
There is this nostalgic feeling as we reflect on all the moments we have had previous to this point. They all mean something. We can all yearn for what they do mean. No one could ever be certain as to what the answers are, but we can only believe. Do we arrive late to events to avoid running into people or getting into car accidents? But then, why do we run into people and why do we get into car accidents. Why do we get into any accident for that matter? Maybe everything is laid out for the right time and the right place. Though the moments may not all be positive. We can consider that all these moments are a learning lesson, positive and negative.
Maybe we live through all these moments in some chronological order. These chronological moments will all in some way benefit our future moments? It’s like the saying “you live and you learn.” I know it’s a cliché, but let’s think about it intellectually. For example, I used to have these moments when I would be alone, and I would think so poorly of myself. That I’m not good enough. I’ll never achieve any of my goals. Everyone I encounter probably finds me annoying. The list could go on, but at this point in my life, it’s irrelevant.
After so long of having these moments alone and thinking so negatively of myself, I started connecting them with all my blissful moments in life. I was able to wake up and remember how many people I love, that love me back. I have achieved so many of my goals already thus far, and I’m sure you have too. It’s intrinsic for us to be down on ourselves. But lately, I have been able to muse so many amazing memories that I have had.
Some of my favorite memories that I have are being in the car with my mom listening to Journey or Fleetwood Mac. And some of my favorites with my dad are visiting him while he worked, and there would be Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, or whatever else was on the radio in the background. Now that I have been able to think retrospectively on these memories, I have been able to connect why I’m so happy when I’m alone listening to any kind of classic rock. It reminds me of my parents when they are in their most calm state of mind.
Let’s retrospect together, but not live in the past. Can we all highlight our fondest and happiest moments, and remember there is so much more to come. But realize how much our stormy moments have shaped us, and that they will continue to grow as well. Right now we are all where we are supposed to be. But what is your most prized memory?
