short story about a shower | pablos
Fingers raw and back weary, I twist the faux-crystalline knob and wince at the pipes’ angry shriek. Water sputters then rushes forth, splattering against the...| pablos
The author of this soliloquy and the soliloquy itself are, of course, fictional.1 Nevertheless, the author exists in all of us. His experiences are inspired by our experiences. As the title may suggest, he is an agnostic believer and it is from his rambling, hastily educated, and—above all else—passionate perspective that this address is presented. I ask you, hear him out. He is one representative of man that is still living out life. And so, I implore you, imagine you're at lunch or dinn...| pablos
As a population, we’ve developed a strange habit of trying to maximize joy—as if it were just another metric to optimize akin to “health” or “academics.” Joy isn’t some resource to extract or a skill that can be levelled up—it’s something that can only occur when we’re not seeking it actively. Yet here we are, armed with a maximalist greed for entertainment and optimization strategies for fun.| pablos
I’ve described small talk as a laborious routine. But recently, on a family trip to China, I’ve found myself unable to communicate as fluidly as usual (my Chinese is elementary at best). In turn, I’ve gained an appreciation for what I once considered a chore. Below are some short defenses of small talk that I’ve considered while abroad.| pablos
Back then, our town was| pablos
On many occasions, while speaking to old friends and acquaintances, the tried “remember when” conversation transpires.| pablos
If comparison is the thief of joy, then expectation is the Devil. Duplicitous and seductive, expectation is the whisper to our pride that we deserve what we’ve imagine.| pablos
The word “discipline” evokes a Roman image in my mind: endless rows of legionnaires brandishing their gladii and shields, marching in formation to the silent beat of a shared heart. It’s a quixotic sight—more fantastical than historical—but, to me, it captures the essence of discipline. Yet I recognize this vision represents just one possibility among countless others.| pablos
For the past few months, I’ve attended Church and fellowships regularly. I write now not to preach spiritual salvation or a panacea to decadence, but to note a simple observation. Amongst the religious, I have found something that I have unconsciously longed for and sought: authenticity.| pablos
Fingers raw and back weary, I twist the faux-crystalline knob and wince at the pipes’ angry shriek. Water sputters then rushes forth, splattering against the...| pablos
Over the past few years, a confluence of life events and new relationships prompted me to work toward greater emotional openness.[^1] Though the effort cont...| pablos
