"Le soleil brillait, n'ayant pas d'autre alternative, sur le rien de nouveau."

This quote captures a sense of inevitability and monotony in life. At its core, it suggests that even though the sun shines brightly, it doesn't change the fact that everything remains the same—there's nothing novel or exciting happening. It’s like when you wake up each day, and everything is just as it was yesterday, no matter how bright the sun is. There's a certain inevitability to it all.

This quote comes from the opening line of Samuel Beckett's novel "Murphy," written in 1938. Beckett was an Irish writer known for his bleak outlook on human existence. The context here speaks to a time when the world was on the brink of World War II—a period loaded with anxiety and the sense that humanity was stuck in a repetitive cycle of conflict and suffering. It’s as if Beckett is saying, even in the face of such turmoil, the mundane aspects of life persist unchanged.

Imagine this: you're in an office where every day feels exactly the same. You get in at 9 AM, sip your coffee, answer emails, attend meetings, and by 5 PM, you're out the door. The sun shines outside, you can see it through the office windows, but inside, nothing ever changes. It's the same routine, the same faces, the same tasks.

Applying this wisdom is all about breaking the cycle. If you feel like every day is a repeat of the last, it's up to you to introduce something new. Pick up a new hobby, change your routine, or even take a different route to work. The idea is to inject some freshness into your day-to-day life. It’s like shaking up a snow globe—give it a bit of a twist, and suddenly everything looks different, at least for a while.

Take Sarah, for example. She worked in a corporate job that felt monotonous and soul-crushing. Every day was a repeat. But one day, she decided to change things up. She started a book club during lunch breaks, inviting colleagues who also loved reading. This small shift brought new conversations, fresh ideas, and a sense of excitement to her otherwise dull routine. The sun still shone as it always did, but now, there was something new it was shining on—a reinvigorated Sarah and her colleagues.

So, think about your own life. Is there something that feels stagnant or repetitive? What small change could you make to bring a bit of novelty? Maybe it’s as simple as trying a new coffee shop or starting your day with a short walk. The key is to break the cycle of monotony. It doesn't have to be a grand gesture—sometimes, the smallest tweaks can make the biggest difference.

Life can feel like it's on repeat, but it doesn't have to. The sun will keep shining, sure, but you have the power to change what it shines on in your life. Make things fresh, and suddenly that inevitable brightness feels a whole lot more welcoming.