The Room  

Webster blandly defines a room: an interior space enclosed or set apart by walls. And indeed this description accurately conveys the simplicity I feel upon entering most rooms; however, one room I once visited was different. A physical description of this room would be meaningless, because the ambiance was what completed this room, not the size, shape, or color of the walls.

One day, years ago, while seeking a quiet haven from the bustle and clamor of my college environment, I stumbled upon the small Art and Music Room of the campus library. Curious, I entered with my initial feeling being surprise at the peacefulness I seemed to disrupt.

Sitting down at one of the small tables, I attempted to settle into my business at hand. Yet I found myself distracted by the well-designed setting of the area. One corner sported a huge music cubicle, offering an infinite choice of private melodies available within classic padded headsets. The walls were filled with racks chocked full of artsy magazines and books which offered honest and vivid expressions of life, through color, photography, and design.

Most impressive of all was the mood of the other visitors. As opposed to the usual forcibly hushed atmosphere of any library setting, these people appeared naturally serene and truly unaware of anything outside their own personal sphere. Their mood was infectious, and study without stress came effortlessly to me.

With time short I rose, gazing around the room as I left. I regretted that I only had a short time to spend there. I realized the furnishing of a room should not always revolve around style or fancy, but comfort and efficiency a thoughtful setting can provide, which is an art in itself.

With all due respect to Mr. Webster, a room can be much more than only: an interior space enclosed by walls.