Finding Joy in Life's Unexpected Moments
My daughter is visiting us from New York for my son’s birthday. She arrived a few days ago, and it was a pleasant surprise. We have two older kids, both living in NYC, while our third kid, my wife, and I live on the West Coast. Despite the distance, we make it a point to visit each other often, at least a few times a year. The long flight is always worth it, given our fondness for both coasts and our desire to stay connected. As parents, we feel fortunate to see our children frequently, despite the miles separating us, and I am grateful for these opportunities.
My wife knows that my daughter and I share a love for movies. Taking this into account, she bought us tickets to see “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” at a recently renovated cinema in downtown Seattle, now managed by the Seattle Independent Film Festival (SIFF). The SIFF’s acquisition of the iconic venue, formerly known as Cinerama and now renamed SIFF Cinema Downtown, from Paul Allen’s estate marks a significant addition to its portfolio, including SIFF Cinema Uptown, SIFF Cinema Egyptian, and the SIFF Film Center at Seattle Center. This move is celebrated for bringing more cinephiles to downtown Seattle, honoring the venue’s legacy within the community.
This visit marked only my second time at this theater; my first was a few weeks prior with my wife and son to watch “Dune: Part Two,” which proved to be an exceptional cinematic experience. The theater has comfortable seating, a vast screen, and an outstanding sound system, making it a favorite of mine. It also has a life-size R2-D2 on display, which is my favorite character in Star Wars – this alone is a reason for me to come visit this theater.
Last night’s visit to SIFF Cinema Downtown was my daughter’s first. She was immediately taken by the venue, which is understandable. Its iconic status and the thoughtful renovation have preserved the building’s original charm and architectural beauty.
As for the movie “Godzilla x Kong,” it embodied all the elements of an engaging film, despite not being my preferred genre. It was over-the-top, ridiculous, impossible, and a mix of science fiction, action, and fantasy, offering nothing but pure fun.
Reflecting on this experience, I realized that I often avoid activities that seem unimportant or unrelated to my goals. However, this movie served as a reminder that not everything needs to be educational or profound. Sometimes, pure entertainment is enough to bring joy.
I dedicate ample time to my hobbies, which include writing, reading, walking, and watching movies, though I tend to be selective in my choices. Yet, yesterday’s experience, watching a movie I wouldn’t have chosen myself, was thoroughly enjoyable.
Moving forward, I aim to be less selective, welcoming randomness into my life, whether it’s choosing a new walking path, writing about whatever comes to mind, or picking up a random book to read without any expectations. In other words, not everything we do should be a step towards our goals; sometimes, doing things without any expectations or without having an agenda is what the soul needs.
