The Bench: Dealing With Change

 I watched a random Japanese movie called “The Bench”, a bunch of vignettes taking place on a park bench in the midst of massive renovation. It was surprisingly good. 

Do you ever feel nostalgic? Do you get caught up in your life and start missing all the simple joys of life? Especially when it comes to specific places in your life. But everything is changing so quickly in the world. 

Yet in our memories we hold these places in our hearts and we remember the wonderful, golden times we experienced there. Change can be great. But it’s also sad sometimes.

“Well it’s not that bad to feel sad when you experience loss. It’s rather good. Feeling sad is actually nice. It means that you loved them that much…. The more you love, the sadder you are. Sadness is something happiness left behind.”

“Tokyo’s scenery are changing so fast. Sceneries disappear before you know it. As things get more convenient, it’s not all that bad. Sceneries you are fond of, change all of a sudden. And by the time you notice they’re gone, it’s too late. You begin to regret that you should have visited more often.”

This is in reference to the places you love. But it is also relevant to people. Specifically your family and your friends. You get so caught up in your own life. It’s good to slow down once in a while. 

“You get rewarded by laughter just by living long. Life is rewarding.”

So this is a reminder to visit old places that gave you fond memories. This is also a reminder to spend more time with loved ones. Before it’s too late. Life goes by fast.