What if you knew?

I don’t usually watch serious movies (some people might say that I don’t usually watch good movies, but those people are rude) because I have a hard time with them. I cry a lot, I get confused (a confession reader, please don’t be an asshole). The confusion stems from the fact that I have a hard time watching closely, because half my brain is always somewhere else, thinking about productivity, thinking about the book I should be reading or the email I should be responding to. A couple of weekends ago, I got about 28 hours with my older son between his jet-setting spring break lifestyle and his return to college. We got some stuff done, got into some mischief at the grocery store–I almost got knocked over by a cart while running to hide from my younger son (the recap: “That guy was getting ready to yell at a kid for running in the store but then he looked at you and was shocked at how old you are.”). And I didn’t feel like there was anywhere else in the world I needed to be, so when we watched a serious movie, a sci-fi movie called Arrival, I was able to watch closely. (ps this was definitely a confusing movie, but in a good way). I cried very deeply, which is not unusual for me, but it changed something in my perspective, a change I really needed. I can’t tell you much without ruining it. But here’s the short story by Ted Chiang it’s based on. Read it and then let’s talk. Or just watch the movie.

Trailer below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFMo3UJ4B4g

So the prompt is: what is one experience you had–something you did for yourself, or some time you spent with someone, or a moment you felt particularly alive in the past year that you’ll never regret? That you’re so glad you did? Doesn’t have to be major, but just a moment you return to with some joy. If you’ve got nothing like that in the past year, that’s something to think about too.