Burning Beneath

The other day, I sat with my kids to watch an animated movie—Soul. It started off lighthearted, full of music and promise, and then, suddenly, the main character dies. That moment hit me hard. I wanted to turn it off, to walk away. Lately, I’ve found myself unable to handle anything heavy—no drama, no action-packed thrillers, nothing that stirs too much emotion. Life already feels overwhelming enough.

But my son wanted to keep watching. So, I stayed. And to my surprise, that choice led to a revelation.

Throughout the movie, a question I’ve wrestled with for years resurfaced: What is the purpose of life? Why am I here?

The answer, as it turned out, was stunningly simple: To live.

Not to chase. Not to accumulate. Not to rush from one goal to the next, always believing fulfillment lies somewhere ahead. But simply to be here. To experience life as it is.

That realization changed something in me.

Since that day, I’ve made a conscious effort to slow down. When I wake up, I don’t immediately rush out of bed. I take a moment to feel the warmth of my blankets. I move slowly, open the blinds, and let the morning light seep in.

Even making tea has become a ritual—selecting herbs with intention, watching the honey swirl and dissolve in hot water, inhaling the aroma. Before, these were just mechanical moments in my day, things to get through. Now, they hold a quiet beauty.

Life doesn’t have to be a constant sprint. Yes, there are deadlines. Yes, responsibilities exist. But within all of it, there are moments—small, simple ones—where we can pause, breathe, and truly be.

And maybe that’s all we really need.