As Good As It Gets.

I watched Safe House in theater a couple of weeks ago. One quote that remained with me occurs when Denzel Washington's character, Tobin Frost, is enjoying his favorite red wine with an old friend, Carlos Villar. Carlos remarks "That red wine tastes as good as its ever going to taste." There is truth and wisdom to that quote. All of the things which elude us, that we pursue and only hold for a blink of time, they are as good as they will ever be.

This is something we can either take refuge in or despair over. This banana I'm eating for breakfast is likely as good as any banana will ever taste. This is easy enough to get over, though, because it is just a banana and hardly the crux of my very existence. But when we tie lofty goals to this truth, our thought process may very well become turned upon its head. This rings especially true in my scenario, the same scenario as all of my classmates. We are contractually forfeiting this year of our lives, in a sense, to make better our times ahead. Though it may be intoxicating, I must try hard to remember that there is no golden chalice to acquire. The majesty of living is ever present. The majesty of living is thus.

To those who would despair upon realizing this, I would say this: instead of being bothered that the mystique of future endeavor is removed, take pleasure in all of these simple things now. This merlot tastes as good in an entry level apartment as it will taste in Paris, France. This bicycle ride in Cape Canaveral can be just as joyous as one in Australia. Life is happening in every moment. Do not be absent because you wish to attend life at a later, more lustrous date. The present is the only time we are promised. All of the laughs you have elicited from your friends, love it now. When a baby giggles at you, enjoy that now. There may be no better time.