Your brain is a mass of fat and water weighing just a bit more than a kilo, encased in a body that lives for about 100 years in the best case, in a universe that is already about 13800000000 years old and speculated to exist for another 10^10^100 years (that’s 1 followed by 10^100 zeroes). If we compress the existence of our universe into just about 11 minutes, humanity doesn’t even show up for more than a blink of an eye.
And yet, just like you, I too am guilty of stressing out about existence. Overworked and under-rested, I have toiled away for hours on tasks that overwhelm me, along with building up bad habits like skipping meals, getting annoyed, under-appreciating the blessing that is existence.
Why do we do this?
Well, if I get an answer to this question, I will be sure to report it to you right here. In the meanwhile, today’s poem is a reminder to step back a little, and take a break every once in a while. You deserve it!
Alright, poem starts in 3… 2… 1!
Take a moment now to pause. A moment just to breathe. Take a second and just close your eyes and feel some ease. Take a minute, or take two and gather all your thoughts. And maybe go wash your face too, you might need it a lot. Go find a comfy chair to sit, or lie down on the floor. And if the cat comes for a scritch, then scritch him even more. Let your mind just drift and roam, like clouds across the sky. Forget about the mess at home, and let the laundry lie. Because a little bit of rest, a little time to think, can make you feel your very best, like ice in a nice cold drink. Yes, when you're feeling really blue and life just seems opaque. The best thing you can do for you is take a simple break!
That’s it! Thanks for reading edition 176 of Hello Universe.
When did you last take a break from life and how did it feel? Share your thoughts with the Hello Universe community in the comments below!
Some Fun Stuff
This is where I share something cool to read, something cool to listen to, and something cool to watch! The underlined words are links that you can click to visit the recommended content.
1. Visit A Soft Murmur for some relaxing ambient sounds: I love putting on ambient sounds when I am in the mood to relax. In tune with today’s poem, here’s a website that helps you do just that - play the ambient sounds of nature to relax and unwind. Check it out!
2. Listen to the Hello Universe Playlist! - Look, you know your boy has great taste in music, so go check out the Hello Universe playlist where I have collected all the songs I have ever recommended here! 106 tracks full of love, energy, and happiness.
3. Watch this 3D animation of Light vs. a Black Hole by atomic marvel: I’m not scientifically illiterate, but I’ve always had trouble visualising how light behaves around a black hole. I’ve now learned more from this 83 second video then anything I’d seen or read before on this subject. Check out this beautiful visualization by atomic marvel (which strangely used to be an MCU memepage before this) that shows how photons sink, swerve, and curve around a blackhole.
That’s it for this week, see you next Tuesday!
Oh, such wise words, Punit! I know exactly what it means to be 'overworked and under-rested'. Rest is soooooo important! ✔️