Morning Walk

 A Walk Within Myself

This morning, I found myself sitting at home with an odd emptiness inside me. The day had just begun, but for some reason, I felt as though the world had moved on without me, leaving me behind in silence. That moment of loneliness grew heavy, and I thought perhaps I should step outside for a walk. I did not have a destination in mind; I only knew I needed to move, to let the rhythm of my footsteps untangle the knots in my heart.

As I started walking, thoughts began to pour in, one after another, like a restless river carrying stones and leaves in its current. The first thing that weighed on me was yesterday’s small fight with my mother. It wasn’t a big quarrel, just one of those everyday misunderstandings, but it stayed with me longer than I expected. Deep down, I knew why. My mother has always been more than a mother—she has been the silent soldier of our family. I have seen her work tirelessly, from morning until night, putting our needs above her own. She never complained, never paused, never asked for more than what she was given. She only gave. And yet, there I was, hurting her with careless words.

My thoughts shifted to my father, who, in his own quiet way, carried the same burden. Between them, I have witnessed the true meaning of sacrifice. They never asked life for comfort; they only asked for strength to raise us well. Their hands, worn with labor, hold stories of sleepless nights and unspoken worries. And as I walked, one dream grew clearer in my mind: I want to give them something they never demanded but always deserved—a life of rest. I want to make them sit at home, free from struggles, and enjoy the retirement they have earned through decades of love and labor.

Yet, in the middle of this noble dream, another truth confronted me: my own shortcomings. I have often lacked discipline. No matter how much I promise myself, I sometimes fail to study, fail to stay away from distractions, and fail to make use of the opportunities life places before me. It is as if I am caught in a cycle—aware of what I should do, yet struggling to do it.Sometimes I feel that I am always late. Late to understand, late to act, late to ask for what I want. And when I finally gather the courage, the moment has already passed, leaving me with nothing but regret. How many times in life have I lost chances, not because I didn’t deserve them, but because I didn’t speak up or step forward in time? That thought followed me on my walk like a shadow I couldn’t escape.

Still, the walk gave me space to reflect. The path was quiet, the air soft, and with every step, my mind seemed to drift deeper. There are times when I feel I just need a break from everything—from expectations, from deadlines, from the silent pressure I place upon myself. I wish I could flow like a river, moving freely without resistance, carrying my burdens lightly, letting life take me where it wishes. But reality is not so simple. Life waits for no one, and if I keep waiting for the perfect moment, I may lose more than I can afford.What makes it heavier is the silence of not having someone to share all this with. These emotions—my fears, my regrets, my hopes—often feel like a storm locked inside me. I long to open my heart, to tell someone everything, but when I look around for a listener, I find none. It is as though the answer to the question, “To whom can I truly speak?” is always silence.

And yet, somewhere inside, a quiet promise is taking shape. I know I cannot remain this way forever. I may be late, I may falter, but I am not defeated. My parents’ sacrifices cannot end in vain. One day, I will make them proud—not only with words but with actions. I will give them the peace they deserve, the retirement they have earned, the life they silently wished for.As I reached back home, the walk ended, but the journey within me had just begun. I realized that though I carry doubts and regrets, I also carry hope. And maybe that hope, no matter how fragile, is enough to push me forward. My parents have walked a long, hard road for me; now it is my turn to walk for them—step by step, thought by thought—towards becoming the person they always believed I could be.

                                                            Jo❤️