In Matthew Paris’s A Time of Reflections, a man steps out of his house, leaving behind the daily grind of his 9-to-5 job, and takes a drive through his old neighborhood, reflecting on the passage of time. As he travels along familiar roads, he recalls a simpler, happier era, with scenes of sunlight over fields, quiet roads, green grass, and humble homes—all seemed full of promise and peace.
Throughout his journey, the man shares his thoughts in a quiet, reflective tone, reciting an essay that urges viewers to appreciate the world around them. He extols us to remember our worth and not take no for an answer in life. Our protagonist finds his value in both inner strength and the beauty in ordinary moments.
“…a man steps out of his house…and takes a drive through his old neighborhood, reflecting on the passage of time.”
Running just over three and a half minutes, A Time of Reflections is a video essay by Matthew Paris, its writer/director/star. He reflects on both place and memory, as our past reminds us that while our lifelong journey shapes us, the simple joys of the present—nature, familiar places, and the wisdom we’ve gained—honestly give life meaning.
As a short film, Paris’ one-man production is quite prevalent as his priority was conveying his thoughts versus making a lavish cinematic film. A Time of Reflections are all self-made and may feel a bit inexperienced. I never thought of using Linked-In as my distribution platform, but it’s worth exploring. In the end, when the rat race of life has you spinning, stop and take a moment to look at the world around you and remember what got you here.