Corner of Thought: The Human Experience

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and lately, that’s been resonating more than ever.

Life has kicked into high gear again—school is back in session, baseball season is in full swing, and gymnastics schedules fill the calendar. Between work hours, dinner routines, and the never-ending list of errands, I find myself catching moments to breathe and reflect in the smallest slivers of time. It’s harder this time of year to pause, to ponder, to just be. But honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

There’s something sacred about the chaos, something beautiful in the juggling act. It’s in the car rides, the sideline cheers, the hurried meals, and the quiet moments after everyone has gone to bed. It’s in the conversations that happen in passing, the laughter that erupts at the dinner table, the little victories that go unnoticed by the world but mean everything to us.

We often talk about being present, but rarely do we fully grasp what that means until life gets busy enough to challenge our ability to do it. The truth is, we only get this version of life once—the messy, noisy, beautiful now. And as cliché as it may sound, the present really is a gift.

So wherever you are right now—whether you’re reading this in between tasks, winding down after a long day, or just seeking a moment of clarity—pause. Take a deep breath. Look around you. Give thanks for where you are, for everything you’ve endured to get here, and for all the people, lessons, and experiences that have shaped your path.

We spend so much time chasing goals, hustling toward the next big thing, trying to arrive. But life isn’t about the destination—it’s about the journey. The messy, imperfect, beautiful journey.

Memento Mori. Remember that you will die. Not to scare you, but to remind you how precious it all is. To urge you not to waste today waiting for someday. To inspire you to love deeply, to laugh often, and to live fully.

You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to be here.