In the midst of stressful Calculus homework and fifty-page readings, you evidently feel desperate for a break. This five-day Thanksgiving break was, like it was for college students across the nation, very necessary for survival. It was equivalent to taking fish out of a crowded, uncleaned tank and letting them free in the vast depths of the ocean (albeit for a limited period).
And off to the wild we went. While most of us traveled back home, cheeks flushed red from the warmth of a fireplace and the comfort of familiarity, some others, namely me, took to the family closest to us. When my parents first suggested that I spend Thanksgiving break with my cousins from Dallas, I was skeptical about how fun it would be. Now, sitting in my room surrounded by reminders of work left unfinished, I wish I could go back.
I could talk about all the people and all the activities, but I want to focus on what I gained from this trip: thankfulness for simple pleasures.
Whether it be the feel of cold water on my legs as I kayaked down the Colorado River or the thrill of standing at the top half of the Texas Capitol and looking down, feeling dizzy yet amazed, the small moments of my trip are what helped me acquire a gratefulness for simple pleasures. Before, I was excited only by the prospect of buying (many) Hollister sweaters and collecting more Alex and Ani’s. And while those things still make me very happy, I realized, over the course of this break, that I don’t always need material possessions to excite me.
This realization first struck me when I took a sip of coffee during my first morning at the hotel we were staying at. Just the taste of that delicious, somehow silky coffee was enough to make my day. My taste buds had become so acclimated to the lukewarm coffee I made in my dorm that this sip, this one sip, was enough to bring me back to life. Who knew?
I was again hit by the magic of simple pleasures when my cousins and I visited a temple in Austin. It’s the biggest one in North America, and it certainly lives up to its name. Grand and peaceful, it not only is a place of worship but an overall beautiful location. I will never forget how I felt when I watched the sun dip behind the mountains in the back fields of the temple. It was, simply, beautiful. And this comes from a person who usually dislikes visiting the temple.
As the break progressed, I noticed how I’d missed out on simpler forms of happiness in my constant pursuit of material wealth. I always want a new phone, new headphones (because I always break them), new books, new everything. These past few days, however, I was able to look around and absorb the joy of playing a late-night game of Scrabble with younger cousins who I shared my infinite wisdom with. I rediscovered the delight of eating really delicious food (reference my dining hall) and just sitting, quietly, not worrying for once about a deadline or commitment.
As I start panicking about finals and grades all over again, I vow to myself that I will find time to take a step back and enjoy the simple pleasures. Whether it be an impromptu movie night or ice cream with friends, I want to make sure I hold on tight to these small yet beautiful moments. Because, yes, the little things are what matter the most.
