# Circuits of Return

## The Steady Loop

A circuit isn't flashy—it's a quiet path that loops back on itself. Electrons travel a complete round, no detours, no waste. They start at a source, weave through wires, and return, sparking light or motion only when the loop closes. In our lives, we chase straight lines to goals, but real progress mirrors this: a cycle of trying, observing, adjusting. Walk the same neighborhood block each evening, and subtle shifts appear—the new bird's nest, a neighbor's wave. The loop reveals what lines miss.

## When Paths Interrupt

Life frays wires. A job ends, a friendship fades, plans unravel. Yet circuits teach resilience: one break doesn't end the flow. We reroute. Solder a new connection, bypass the snag. Last winter, I fixed an old lamp passed from my grandfather. Its filament had burned out, but tracing the cord, I found a loose prong. A simple twist, and warm light returned. That moment lingered—not triumph, but restoration. Our days work the same: small fixes mend larger glows.

## The Warmth of Completion

Completing a circuit feels like exhaling. Energy sustains itself, humming steadily. Think of bedtime rituals or weekly calls home—they close daily loops, preventing burnout.

- End a conversation with a clear next step.
- Journal one lesson from the day.
- Pause work to stretch and breathe.

These tiny closures build enduring light.

*On this mid-December day in 2025, let your loops light the longest nights.*