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Finding Light in Life’s Shadowed Corners
It’s a curious thing, how the most intense emotions often find us when we least expect them. There’s an old saying, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” And so it was with me on one particular day, a day that started out as ordinary and unremarkable.
For a little context, I was going through a particularly rough patch. Bills were piling up, work stress was mounting, and personal relationships felt strained. I was that familiar traveler on the road of life where the next exit was labeled “Burnout,” but I wasn’t quite there yet. You might even say I was living the epitome of a modern life’s troubles. According to a study from the American Psychological Association, nearly 80% of Americans report feeling stress daily. I was, without a doubt, part of that overwhelming majority.
One evening, after a long day at work, I took a walk in the neighborhood. It was my attempt to clear the mind and, perhaps, find a little peace amid the chaos. As I walked, I passed a park. The same park I’ve strolled past a hundred times without giving it much thought. But that day was different.
There, in the middle of the playground, was a child on a swing. His laughter echoed as he swung higher and higher. It was as if that simple act of…
