Little by little.

I vividly remember my son, when he was about one year old, playing with bubbles—those soap bubbles, those little balloons of joyful bursts of air and soap that we all seem to have played with at some point. Bubbles were a constant in our lives; while he was tiny, those tiny bubbles never failed to burst, never failed to burst with joy, filling our moments with happiness.

Yes, that sheer joy and thrill of building them up and blowing them out to see them float, move on, and finally disappear! I can’t recall when I last did that, though…What fun! Those of you who have small kids might still be doing it.

I hope!

That bubble, in particular, was more significant than his head. 

I know because I have captured that memory in my mind and a photograph. 

So often, we move around with these delicate and transient bubbles, sometimes way more significant than our tiny heads as we move on. Some burst, while others linger. Some give joy, while others do not. Some go on to produce smaller bubbles, while some are more sticky and soapy than others. They all finally seem to disappear as fast as they appear.

Nevertheless, bubbles are bubbles. Soapy, sticky, and always bursting and disappearing. Obeying the laws of physics and nature, we can only play with them as long as they last. 

Ever wonder why some kids roar in joy when their bubble bursts and others yell and howl in pain?

It may be the anticipation and the surprise. For some, the bursting bubble is a delightful moment of joy and wonder. For others, it’s the end of a beautiful, fleeting creation, a minor heartbreak. Like bubbles, our life experiences can be fragile and lovely, too. 

They can bring joy or sadness, depending on how we perceive them and what we expect.

As adults, we often bundle our dreams, hopes, and fears inside metaphorical bubbles. Some of these bubbles are fragile and easily burst by our challenges and obstacles. Others are more resilient, staying with us and giving us hope and joy.

Our experinces about the life situations that unfold in our life, are veru much like these bubbles, and how we handle them, like how the children react to the soapy ones. Can we learn to find joy in the fleeting beauty of a bubble, knowing it won’t last forever? Can we teach ourselves and our children to appreciate the moment, even when it bursts?

When we are able to find beauty in the transient, and embrace the joy and sadness that come along for the ride, we are able to accept it’s transcience. The transcience of it all, isn’t it?

Next time when you see a bubble, whether it’s a real one or one of life’s little bubbles, do take a moment to appreciate its beauty. And remember, it’s not about how long it lasts, but the joy it brings while it’s still there.

It may be one of those you wish never were; even then, relish and release. It may be one that you want to last longer; even then, relish and release. There is joy in the knowing. The knowing that it’s all transient, though soapy and stick at times. You will navigate your way through it all. Like tiny bubbles, they will rise and become less dense. In those moments, it will all be clear, and it will all make sense. 

Why not get up and create some soapy bubbles just now? Yes, why not? Get up and enjoy the simple pleasures of playful goofiness.

Little by little, I gather my thoughts.
They tug, they nudge. I connect the dots.
Like tiny bubbles, they rise and become less dense.
Bit by bit, it all makes sense.