There is a certain kind of madness that comes with trying to capture the infinite in a few mere words. When Wislawa Szymborska speaks about preferring the absurdity of writing poems to the absurdity of not writing them, she is touching on a profound truth about the human struggle to find meaning. Life, in all its messy, unpredictable, and often nonsensical glory, can feel overwhelming. We often find ourselves caught between the chaos of existence and the desperate desire to make sense of it. Choosing to create, to express, and to document our journey is a way of embracing that chaos rather than being defeated by it.

In our everyday lives, this absurdity shows up in the small, quiet moments. It is the feeling of sitting at a desk at midnight, trying to find the right way to describe a sunset, or the way we pour our hearts into a hobby that might not bring us any fame or fortune. We often worry about whether our efforts are 'productive' or 'logical.' But there is a beautiful, quiet rebellion in doing something simply because it allows us to breathe. To create is to say that even if the world doesn't make sense, our response to it can be something beautiful and intentional.

I remember a time when I felt quite lost, much like a little duck drifting in a heavy fog. I was staring at a blank page, feeling like every word I chose was silly or unimportant. I kept thinking, why bother? Why try to find beauty in a world that feels so heavy? But as I sat there, I realized that the emptiness of not trying was much scarier than the struggle of trying. The silence of an unexpressed thought felt much more absurd than the clumsy, imperfect poem I was attempting to write. I decided to let the words be messy, and in that messiness, I found a sense of peace.

We all have our own versions of 'writing poems.' For some, it is gardening, for others, it is cooking a meal for a friend, or even just the way we tend to our inner garden of thoughts. These acts might seem small or even silly to an outsider, but they are our way of navigating the absurdity of life. They are our anchors. When we choose to engage with our passions, we are choosing to participate in the world rather than just observing its chaos from a distance.

I want to encourage you today to embrace your own beautiful absurdities. Don't be afraid of the messy drafts, the imperfect attempts, or the hobbies that serve no purpose other than to make your soul sing. If you have been holding back an idea, a craft, or a creative thought because it feels too small, let it out. Choose the lovely absurdity of creation over the hollow absurdity of silence.