Take things as they come

It is a cold, grey winter's day in January. A young man wakes from his deep sleep and gazes at the ceiling of his room. What time might it be? What sort of day is it today? He does not know. Nothing special is planned for this day. Minute after minute he remains lying there, lost in his thoughts and unable to finally get up. A feeling of lethargy has permeated his body, with no intention of ever disappearing again. With great effort he finally sits up, sits on the edge of the bed and looks out of the window. But he cannot perceive sun and warmth. A grey veil covers the sky. It is a day like any other for the young man, in a season characterised by endless sadness. This girl, she does not write to him. Will he see her again? He does not want to ask himself this question, as he knows the answer. Everything seems the same and the unexpected, the spontaneity of life, no longer seems to exist. An endless waiting for better times. But for how long? Only to look back afterwards on wasted time and wallow in self-pity over what was missed?

But on this day the sun breaks through the grey. Thinking it no longer existed, sunbeams touch his skin during a walk. Birds chirp wildly and the flow of the river drowns out the sounds of cars. He closes his eyes. Balm for the soul. Nature and its many facets have always pleased him. The water of the river is always in motion and finds its way despite numerous obstacles. In his customary thoughtful manner, this idea will not leave his head. For the first time in a long while he feels this urge to act again, this feeling that has become so unfamiliar. Keep moving. This sentence shall not leave his head. Nature as a source of answers? Perhaps it is precisely these small, otherwise taken-for-granted moments that stand out in this time of exception and give cause for thought. A challenge to take things as they are and make the best of them. It gets dark very early, which is why he makes his way home. But this day will remain in the young man's memory. In the evening he sits pondering at his desk. Without this stupid situation, everything would be so much better, he thinks to himself. Then he remembers the river from the afternoon again. Keep moving. A young fellow with plans and dreams. But circumstances that prevent these. That cannot be it. It is time to roll up his sleeves and not hide behind his excuses, as he finds. With great drive and a good feeling he goes to sleep.

At first the sun says goodbye once more and the grey, dreary winter days characterise the picture. Nothing seems to have changed. But over time nature undergoes its transformation. The weather improves. Quality of life rises. The young man finds this too as he walks his circles by the river a few months later. Again he looks at the flow and must think back to that winter's day. Much has happened since then. Everything begins to bloom and people are drawn outside again. Even though normality cannot be spoken of, the winter sleep is over. New tasks lie ahead. He wants to learn a language. In summer he will move to a new city. Soon his studies will continue. The future is in the stars. The next step is uncertain. What may come next year, no one can predict. But perhaps that is not so bad after all.

With some distance he looks back on the past year. Not everything was bad. But one cannot and will not come to terms with it in the long run. Difficult times lay and lie ahead of him. But he is not alone in this. Everyone deals with extraordinary situations in their own way. Some fall into a hole. And others know how to deal with it better. A burden that must, however, be borne together. Nevertheless, life does not stop because of this or become any less beautiful. In these times it is the simple things that give hope and allow one to look forward. Perhaps this gives not only the young man the opportunity to recognise what really matters.

After what feels like an eternity he surprisingly sees some of his old friends by the river and enjoys what was otherwise the most normal thing in the world. His joy knows no bounds and feelings of happiness spread. So they do still exist. These moments that drive one forward and make one forget everything around them, at least for a moment. Better times are on the horizon. He has since freed himself from his rut. Take life as it comes. Do not bow to obstacles. Keep moving. There is nothing else left to do.

It is time not to be discouraged. It is time to look forward. It is time to enjoy life again.