(M)

(n.) the experiences, positive or negative, that we feel most deeply, and through which we truly live; not mere experiences, but Experiences.

I recall my first day. It was pretty much just another average day for an average girl joining a new school. Nothing out of the ordinary. I also vaguely recall the day after. Just another average day. So was the day after that. And the one after that. And so was every single day. Looking back today, I identify the beauty and complexity of each of those days. That is what life really is. An acatalepsy.

When we wake up every morning, when we sleep at night, and every single moment in between, it’s a series of experiences. Just another average day. Nothing extraordinary. Nothing particularly exciting. Just another average day. As time passes, and you look upon these experiences, you realise they weren’t just experiences but Experiences.

Throughout my time here, I have learnt quite a few things, few of which are:

• Never be rude; everyone is fighting a battle of their own
• Never be too nice; they will mistake your niceness for having wrong intents
• Never let people in; they will take advantage of your naivety
• Never hide too many things; they will label you as too complicated

And so on…

For anyone who is out there, fighting a battle, hiding scars- emotionally or physically- always remember that this erlebnisse does shape you, give you your quirks and make you who you are. Remember that things once broken, become even more beautiful once put back together. They will never be the same again, but their beauty is enhanced, their marks proof of their past, of their Experience.

For anyone who is out there, hoping for a Significant Event, always remember the choice is yours. It’s you who will regret not taking the risk. So, go for it. Take a leap. Risk it. It’s okay if you fall down because that will be an Experience. And so will be getting back up again. Remember that if you want an erlebnisse, you must go and get it. Sitting in the cosy of your room, dreaming of it will not get you anywhere. But remember, what makes you the person you are isn’t the Experience you will have, but those that you have already had, even if they were just experiences.

The truth about an Experience is that you never know it’s an Experience and not just an experience in the present tense. So you may be hoping for your Experience and could be going through it while disregarding your current situation as just an experience. This is why I believe in pausing. Stop whatever you’re doing and just breathe. For a second, every single day, just pause. Take in the fresh air. Take in the vibrant green leaves. Take in the fresh flowing stream. Take in the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks. Take in the scent of the salty sea. Take in the scent of the coffee you’re drinking. For a second, just pause and be- truly be- in the place you’re in. Stop thinking about your work. Just pause and breathe. You just might find your erlebnisse; Your Experience.