100 Days of 100 Words: Day 99, Succulent Salutation

He sat back in his chair taking a break from the rigors of the day. Mostly he typed on a keyboard and read words on a screen in one form or another whether it was a chat message, e-mail, web article, or constructing a new program. He found that sometimes it was useful to take a few breaths and let his mind wander. His vision drifted over the objects on his desk. There was the requisite computer controls, keyboard and mouse. Headphones which he would like to use more but it seemed like every time he put them on someone came by with a question. He considered getting some kind of ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign and added it to his mental ‘To-Do’ list. Two coffee mugs stood to the right of those, one that he used for coffee and one that he used for water. He had a few shelves which were not entirely useful but on the top shelf was a small succulent. It had been a welcome gift when the company had moved to a new office and his still had the little ‘Hello!’ sign that came with it stuck in the soil. A succulent salutation. At this point most people had let theirs die or taken them home (he hoped). But he kept his at this desk, watered it from time to time, and had even repotted it once. It had fared well over the year plus it was on his desk. It did not care if it was winter or summer. From the vantage point of the plant weather was extremely consistent as it was always indoors, always in the same place. He felt mixed emotions for the plant. He felt a twinge of envy in that the plant was happy as long as its basic needs were met. The fact that nothing was changing was a good thing. The plant embraced the consistency, thrived in the consistency even. He also felt a small form of pity. The plant would never have deep thought, never explore, never know anything except for the same life every day. He considered for a moment that there were plenty of humans of which the same could be said. He felt a little sad for the world. Then he considered that the consistency of the plants being had made him happy at times. Perhaps the consistency of a person’s being, even without deep thought, without explorations, and with extreme monotony, might still bring happiness to someone in the world. He was comforted. With an exhale of relaxation he returned his hands to his keyboard.