# Incidents as Gentle Reminders

## The Sudden Ripple

Life moves in steady rhythms until an incident disrupts it—a spilled coffee staining your shirt, a missed call from a friend, or a sudden storm on a clear day. These are not disasters, just small waves that alter the water's surface. On this mid-December evening in 2025, as the year winds down, I think of them not as interruptions, but as quiet signals. They pull us from autopilot, asking us to notice what we might otherwise overlook.

## Unpacking the Moment

Each incident carries a simple truth. The stained shirt reminds me to slow down at breakfast, savoring the warmth of the mug instead of rushing. The missed call nudges me to reach out first, bridging distances before they widen. Like stones in a riverbed, they shift our path just enough to reveal clearer waters ahead.

- A flat tire teaches patience amid frustration.
- A forgotten birthday uncovers the depth of care.
- A power outage invites candlelit conversations long forgotten.

These moments aren't punishments; they're invitations to realign.

## Carrying the Lesson Forward

Over time, collecting these incidents builds resilience. They form a personal map, marked not by grand triumphs, but by honest adjustments. In the hush of winter nights, they whisper that growth hides in the ordinary disruptions, turning mishaps into quiet wisdom.

*Incidents don't break us—they bend us toward light.*