some days it feels like the clouds won't stay away

I was sitting in the student center today when a bird inadvertently flew in. I watched it for a while and began to feel sad. It flitted about helplessly, trying to go outside. But it always looked through the window and always flew into the glass. Every now and then it would find a ledge to rest on, but it never lingered there for long. It was always trying to leave, to get out. But it never did, at least not in the five or ten minutes that I observed it.

It caused me to reflect on the human condition and how so often we feel trapped-- by school, by work, even by our friends and family. And we long for more, knowing that there is something better. There is a world outside that we were made for, that we were meant to enjoy. We frantically flutter around, but we never really get anywhere. All these illusions of freedom draw our attention away from the only way out. And the pursuit of these false hopes only leaves us bruised and weary. For a time, we can find a place to collect ourselves and breathe a little. But in the end we find ourselves restless once again, longing for more. People can try to lead us to the door and even open it for us, but like that little bird no one can hold our hand as we cross to the other side.