Fridays
for CODE
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I love Fridays; I don’t entirely know why, but to me, everything feels much better on that day. In speaking to a new face in my life, I remarked on how grateful I was that the weekend was around the corner, to which their response implied that the new day would change nothing. Afterward, my initial thought was, ‘It does for me,’ followed by, ‘It’s a matter of perspective.’ It hit me, then, that change is a choice; ultimately, you decide to adjust or maintain sameness. In this, I exclude things beyond our control and primarily focus on what is in our hands.
This brief exchange made me think of my life and times when I could have thought and behaved differently or better but instead chose the lousy alternatives. Moreover, I pondered instances wherein I remained among internal places that ceased to benefit me, knowing it would get me nowhere and not entirely caring. While I believe that sometimes allowing ourselves to feel the waves of emotions is necessary for healing, we don’t always extricate from them promptly. And the [un]funny part is when somehow, amid this madness, we get frustrated about our present situation.
How much do we want things to change if we are unwilling? This question ran across my mind several times, and not once had I a sensible answer with which to counter. Essentially, there is no excuse for knowing better and not doing so; indeed, change is a decision, but it is also inevitable. I believe it is better to change willingly than to have life leave you no other option. Then again, both are necessary and something we all have faced.
My spiritual leader often says that ‘everything goes head-first,’ in that when our minds change, our lives follow for better or worse. Naturally, no one desires a catastrophic life, and minds do not change on their own accord; we make that choice. It’s so easy to revert to old ways or cave under pressure brought on by life itself, but how we handle those feelings, thoughts, and actions is, too, a choice. If we feel that nothing will change, it won’t; the first step toward transformation is the belief or FAITH that change is within reach.
Recently, I have adopted the practice of thinking about Fridays when I feel like a Monday i.e., mundane. While I adore the weekday from beginning to end for many reasons, metaphorically, I define ‘Fridays’ as those things that make us feel our best. For some, it means accomplishing a goal, being with loved ones, learning something new, listening to music, reading, creating art, having in-depth conversations, and the beat goes on. Because we are so different, no one’s Friday is identical, and we are not in a position to tell others what their Friday should look like.
Who knows? Another person’s Friday could be your Monday if you see what I mean. When thinking of Fridays (or what brings us joy), it’s often easier to get through those complex situations when the latter emotions attempt to resurface. Reacting negatively to an unfavorable condition worsens and prolongs that state, so for your sake and peace of mind, find your Fridays and remember them to get you through Mondays. Eventually, a time will come when the day of the week won’t matter.
