A Walk to Remember

About two weeks ago, I was out and about on my usual walk. I like to walk next to the river as it reminds me of the constant flow of things.

If I ever feel down, it reassures me that feeling shall pass too.

That day, in particular, I was breathing a little bit heavier and my mind was playing a game. I thought I needed to participate even though it was not fun at all.

If a game is not fun, why do we keep playing it?

One event that day made me quit the nasty mind game and the perpetual cycle of thoughts.

As I climbed the rocky stairs, I saw an old man sitting on a broken bench. He was peacefully looking at the river, with a mysteriously wise smile.

I couldn't resist but tell him he looked wonderfully cozy even though sitting on that hard broken bench.

We had never met before, but he was quick to smile at me and spark a conversation.

Just like me, he likes to go out for his walks and sit next to the river to just observe it.

He told me he was a biology teacher and that he came there to watch the birds. He didn't mind the broken bench.

Another thing in common: I too like birds and observing life. And, I don't mind if the bench is broken either.

We talked for some time about the most simple things yet this conversation had a profound impact on me.

It was the genuine smile and understanding we shared that changed the course of my day.

He said he hoped to see me again and I said I hoped so too.

That was it.

As I waved and walked away, I realized I wasn't breathing so heavily anymore. My mind was quiet and it felt as if I got myself a pair of new eyes and ears.

The colors were more vivid and the sound of birds louder.

I realized I did not need to participate in that mind game. I can always play another game if I want.

It seems that this man was almost meant to sit there at that moment and this made me appreciate the flow of the river even more.