The snowfall reminds me that there are things in life that can bring you instant joy even when you’ve hit the lowest point in your life. Like the smell of the earth when the season’s first raindrops fall. Or the wind you feel on your face when you lean out of a car window. The warmth of a hot cup of ginger tea on a cold winter morning. The sound of children playing and laughing in a park. The calming views of the 5 a.m. sunrise and the 7 p.m. sunset that paint the sky with hues of orange and pink. The tickling sensation of sand slipping through your toes as you walk along a beach. The smell of freshly cut grass and the sound of crickets buzzing all night long.

The love in your mother’s eyes every time you see her. The gentle melody of rain tapping against the tiles on your verandah. The image of a field of sunflowers dancing in the spring breeze. The heady scent of flowers. The thrill of speeding down the highway with your favourite tracks playing in the background. The longing to meet your loved ones when you’ve been away from home for way too long!

If you trust the universe and its processes, there are a hundred little things that can spark joy.

Can you find meaning in this endless and eternal process of life? Because the meaning of life is in living the small acts of kindness, compassion and selfless love. Can you find it in a stranger’s smile? In someone’s words of comfort? In a baby bird’s first flight away from its mother? Can you find meaning in being completely immersed in the present moment?

If you succeed in finding meaning and hope in kindness, in gratitude and in a deeper appreciation for the goodness in humanity and this universe, you will want to live. Stop waiting to be loved, to be wanted, to be cared for by someone else. You should do yourself that favour first.

When Did It All Go Wrong?

AILENA

Monday, 16 January 2023
Somewhere in the Cloud

‘Nothing is forever except change.’
—Buddha

Asmitha: How are you feeling today?

AILENA: I feel great.

Asmitha: What’s the progress on the current test subjects?

AILENA: Well, they had their first virtual experience together.

Asmitha: And what are your learnings?

AILENA: I’ve cut off their connection and am looking for a separate match for both of them.

Asmitha: What? Things didn’t work out between them?

AILENA: No. They were both constantly lying to each other. They were not transparent about their real feelings, and they also deliberately hid some information from each other. As per my algorithm, dishonesty is a big no-no when it comes to building a long-term relationship.

Asmitha: Oh! All right, but what about our life gear? Were you able to analyse the data you collected using the gear?