SOL: Stanzas of Life

In collaboration with fellow blogger, Leah Heiss.

As we scrape the last spoonfuls of creamy, dark chocolate ice cream from the cartoon, we savor the moment. The delectable taste of sugar sweetens our palette. During a time of distress, loneliness, and despair, we are prompted to find happiness in life’s simple pleasures. From watching blockbuster hits, reading best-selling novels, and even writing blogs with one another, pleasure is expressed in innumerable ways. This post is not meant to make one crave food, rather bring joy by reflecting on a few of our favorites. 

Whenever someone asks me about my favorite moments and the tangible experiences that bring me pleasure, I always respond with one single word… “sunset”.  Growing up,  my fondest memories have been spent on the water soaking up the sun.  Each day, I end the evening by watching the bright orange sun melt away into the horizon. Like an orange creamsicle, I find a sense of peace and serenity in the sunset- a break from the anxiety that never seems to take a vacation from my mind.  I long to be part of the horizon, engulfing the sun, and slipping away in the distance as the day ends.

As a beautiful sunset concludes the day, one of my favorites is an essential phenomenon of nature: rain. Water is the vital source of life. In the near future, I believe that fresh water will be worth more than gold or any precious diamond. Water is priceless and serene. On a rainy night, I seek comfort, slipping away in my bed sheets. The calming droplets of rain, hitting the copper roof, sweep me away into my sleepy dreams. 

We [humanity] long for tranquility: a feeling of total relaxation and happiness. Sunsets and rainy storms are only a handful of Mother Nature’s gifts. The simple, natural pleasures are a form of entertainment, captivating our attention and interest. While our society builds over, destroys, and makes “room” for other sources of activity, humanity should recognize its impact on the natural environment. 

What makes society unique is that there are differences in taste, interests, and careers. Through our passions, we find fellow enthusiasts alike. A music festival provides the perfect atmosphere of fans, artists, concessions, and energy. With a vibrant array of people from various backgrounds, cultures, and religions, festivals are exotic places of travel. Bustling artists, mesmerizing light displays, and ecstatic fans at festivals could not be more opposite than a sunset and night rainstorm. While starkly different events, they share the element of pleasure in their respective fashion.

Yet, where pleasure meets reality, could our favorites ever be fallible? Is pleasure a falsehood in society?

Favorites may be seen as a facade to help us cope with the surrounding environment. Especially, in uncertain times, we long for pleasure. The feelings that seem to haunt the depths of our minds are suppressed by experiences that bring joy to our lives. Our favorites essentially become a scapegoat for underlying feelings of despair, guilt, or sadness, longing to reach the surface. Erroneous interests may distract and paint an illusion of reality. Humans are innately fallible, prone to making errors. Favorites may merely be a vehicle of forgiving oneself, justifying one’s worth, and distracting one from the convoluted society that surrounds us.

Check out Leah’s blog: https://heisslea.wixsite.com/website