Advent 12

Thursday, Second Week of Advent
8 December 2022

The Laughing Heart

your life is your life
don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission.
be on the watch.
there are ways out.
there is a light somewhere.
it may not be much light but
it beats the darkness.
be on the watch.
the gods will offer you chances.
know them.
take them.
you can’t beat death but
you can beat death in life, sometimes.
and the more often you learn to do it,
the more light there will be.
your life is your life.
know it while you have it.
you are marvelous
the gods wait to delight
in you.
-Charles Bukowski

For me, this is about the time of year where I start to think about buying Christmas presents. Reflecting on each person in my life, their interests, our relationship, and what they might enjoy receiving, has enabled me to take some time to appreciate all the lovely people who have brought light and happiness to my life this year. It’s been really gray and windy and cold outside on campus the past few weeks, and my friends, teammates and classmates have been providing so much light and joy to focus on even amid the stress of finals.

This semester I’ve been practicing some elements of Stoicism, an ancient philosophy that centers around accepting and being glad about what you have in every moment rather than trying to control or change things that aren’t up to you. The goal of Stoicism is to reach tranquility. Though there are lots of elements and techniques in Stoicism, I’ve been picking and practicing teachings that I find most helpful. Something I’ve been practicing in particular is not taking the future for granted; relying on good things happening in the future holds us back from being happy in the present and truly appreciating the things we currently have. 

In past years, during Advent, I’ve spent the season waiting, waiting to finish finals and go home to my family, waiting to put my wrapped presents under the tree, waiting for the warmth and celebration of Christmas Eve mass, waiting for our savior to arrive. This year though, in accordance with Stoic principles, I won’t be waiting. It is never guaranteed that I will finish finals, or have a Christmas tree and church service to attend. It is not guaranteed that our savior will come. 

Instead of waiting for Jesus to arrive this year, I am instead giving thanks for all the saviors and lights I already have in my life; my friends, my family, my hardworking professors, the kindness that people show me every day. I cannot take for granted that our savior will come at the end of this season of Advent. However, He has already given me so many wonderful people to rejoice in. I have wonderful friends to share meals and jokes with, loving family members to call and check in with and helpful study groups to learn and work hard with. Even in the midst of dark times, there are so many lights in my life, so many laughing hearts filled with joy and hope and courage. Rather than waiting, I am already rejoicing.

Cat Schmitt ’24