Opposite of Always

by Justin A. Reynolds

The problem is we spend most of our puny lives chasing someone else’s someone, and, if we’re lucky, we end up with only a third of the time we could’ve spent with the person truly meant for us. That is, if we don’t wind up missing them altogether.

“Don’t be afraid. Take chances. And when those don’t work out, take more.”

I start to argue. But I hug her instead, the way I should hug my own mother more.

MOM on the phone: Crazy people take the bus late at night. ME: I’m pretty sure crazy people aren’t as strict with their bus-riding schedule as you think.

People always say they’re happy you’re happy until they’re afraid that maybe your happiness is affecting their happiness and then they’re not so happy about you being so happy.

You can try your hardest to change something—exhaust every possibility—and sometimes it’s still not enough. But almost means you were there. You did all you could. In the end, it’s the smallest decisions that matter most. The seemingly insignificant choices we make every day— To be honest with the people we love and with ourselves— To let go of the things we can’t control, and appreciate the things we can. Sometimes it’s hard to see how much these things mean. But they add up. They mean everything. Take it from someone who’s seen the future.