Simple Joyful Moments

The oppressive heat that had blanketed the Northeast for the better part of July finally broke last week.  Wednesday was actually on the cooler side.  The thermometer was no longer registering triple digits but settled on a comfortable number in the low seventies.  This welcomed weather change meant one thing for me.  A lunch time walk!  It was time to vacate my appointed post behind the desk, allow the computer to enter sleep mode and let the phone calls be answered by voice mail. Unlike the prior several weeks on this Wednesday I would not be working through my lunch hour but rather enjoying a long overdue date with Mother Nature.

  I traded my high heel sandals for the pair of sneakers that I keep in my car and headed up the hill behind the office to enjoy my respite from obligations, questions and problem solving. But as I exited the building a lovely creature was waiting to greet me. A Luna moth was resting on the brick entrance.  I wondered how many others had entered and exited the building without taking notice of the beauty that was perched upon the wall.

   I began my trek up the hill that leads to my quiet lunch hour retreat.  Or so I thought.  I knew that the townhouse construction project was continuing on the street to my left, but the road straight ahead has always been peaceful and devoid of activity.  As I reached the crest of the hill and walked another hundred feet or so I began to hear music.  It was not something I recognized from the current top Billboard 100 and it was not coming from a car radio or a boom box.  The sound was ancient and distinctive.  The tones were soulful.  The music was being created by bagpipes.  I stopped and stood by the side of the road and allowed each tone of this unexpected gift to fill my soul.

 Without actually seeing who was sending these magical tones into the air I assumed I would find an older gentleman blowing into the bagpipe mouthpiece and coaxing the tones from the bag and reeds. As I grew closer the source of the music I realized I was wrong. It was a young woman dressed in medical scrubs that was sending that beautiful music out for all to hear.  She too must have been on her lunch break as there is a medical building in front of the one that I work in. I smiled for her to see because I wanted her to know how much I appreciated her gift.  I realized that she was spending her lunch hour doing the same thing that I was doing. This woman too was experiencing her joy.  I saw, heard and felt it. 

 This unexpected and deeply appreciated encounter got me thinking. And I was thinking about joy.  We all have our obligations and chores but if within those moments we can escape and connect with our joy we have struck gold. My smiled widened even more and it was not just displayed on my face but it resonated from deep within my soul.

 As I continued on my walk the musical tones faded.  I could no longer hear, but I could see. I found a butterfly, a dragonfly and a heart shaped rock.  Each one possessed simple elegance.  But the impact of their unencumbered grace touched me.  These are small and pure moments of connectedness…..moments of simple joy.  And you know what?  Each and every day they present themselves to us, we just have to choose to see them and more importantly accept them for the gift that they are.  I retreated to my desk and finished my work day with a full and grateful heart.

 

 

 The past several months my dear friend has been asking me to join her and another friend on a camping adventure.  Camping is not really my thing…well at least it had not been for the first fifty years of my life.   After much internal bickering I decided to just get out of my own way and embrace a new experience.  So I packed my gear and after work on Friday I drove an hour north to a serene spot called North South Lake and settled into camp.

  Yes, I was a bit of a fish out of water but my friends were very accommodating.  Dinner was deliciously prepared over the campfire.  On the menu, French onion soup, chicken speedie sandwiches and roasted corn.  I must say there is something very grounding about cooking over a campfire.

  The night continued with much laughter and the flickering warmth of the campfire was alluring.  When we finally headed off to bed (and no we weren’t in tents we enjoyed the comforts of the Clipper, a pop of camper) the chatter continued. It was if we were ten year old girls at a slumber party. Only we did not talk of boys rather we laughed at ourselves.  And, no Fran, John “Boy” Walton did not live in a chimney! With the lights out and sleepiness sinking in we drifted off to sleep.  It was a simple and joyful night.

 I was greeted Saturday by a breakfast of pancakes, bacon and fresh brewed coffee and then we headed to the lake for a kayaking adventure.   I paddled along the lake snapping pictures of all the gifts that Mother Nature had provided.  I captured a turtle and a dragonfly hanging out together.  

 

There were geese, birds, butterflies, dragonflies, turtles and ducks.  Each was simply enjoying being in their element.

 

 As I paddled around the lake I found myself drawn more toward the people.  Not only were there other boaters and kayakers upon the lake, but there were people fishing from the shore, young boys, middle aged and older men and a few young girls too. They may have believed that they were just fishing, but in reality they were touching their joy.  They found comfort in the moment and connecting with a source greater than all. 

 There was an artist recreating the scene and a curious little girl compelled to catch a glimpse of the work in progress.

   Much like my Wednesday walk my Saturday paddle around the lake opened my eyes to people purely connecting to their joy.  Life is full of challenges and obstructions but if we can move ourselves beyond those moments and connect to what it is that make our hearts sing we will find moments of peace. 

 Tonight as I was collecting my thoughts I took a break to sit outside in the cool night air and enjoy the dance of the fireflies.  The wooded area behind my house is aglow with a constant flickering of light.  Each and every summer night the light show amazes me. The fireflies remind me of the profound thoughts of an insightful and amazing woman, Dr. Brene Brown.  Several years ago I was led to her TED TV talk about vulnerability.  After which I purchased her book “The Gifts of Imperfection.  Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are”.  It is a wonderfully written book that includes not only the results of her research on the subject, but her own heartfelt inspirational insights. When I first read this passage I paused and reread it and then reread it again.  It captures the essence of joy.

“Twinkle lights are the perfect metaphor for joy.  Joy is not a constant.  It comes to us in moments—often ordinary moments.  Sometimes we miss out on the bursts of joy because we’re too busy chasing down extraordinary moments.  Other times we’re so afraid of the dark that we don’t dare let ourselves enjoy the light.

  A joyful life is not a floodlight of joy.  That would eventually become unbearable.

  I believe a joyful life is made up of joyful moments gracefully strung together by trust, gratitude, inspiration and faith.”…….Brene Brown

  Revel in the ordinary moments of joy that grace your life, don’t allow them to pass you by but rather breathe them in and savor each gift for what it is.

I Hear, I See....

This afternoon I needed to run a few errands.  Gas up the car, pick up a bottle of wine and go to the grocery store for the fixings for a fresh summer grilled dinner.  Before I left my house I had a thought that I should detour to the local “summer hot spot” Weir’s Ice Cream Bar.  It has been a staple in Washingtonville as long as I can remember.  As a kid and along with my kids I can recall many a summer night standing on a line that snaked and touched the outer edge of the road as I waited to order my chocolate soft serve ice cream cone with chocolate sprinkles.  The long wait made my ice cream taste that much sweeter and it was also advantageous for the mosquitos ….we both feasted on our favorite treats….mine was the ice cream, and theirs was my flesh! 

 With that familiar gnawing feeling in my gut I ran my errands.  First the liquor store, then the gas station, and finally off to the grocery store.  I put my bags of fresh vegetables and steak into the car and headed towards Weirs Ice Cream Stand.  I’ve been trying to watch what I eat, but really how bad can a small twist (vanilla and chocolate) ice cream cone be for you? Honestly the pull that I felt to go to this childhood favorite spot was overwhelming.  If I have learned anything over these past five years it is to trust my instincts…..better known as my inner guidance.

  I pulled into the parking lot and turned off the car engine. As I was getting out of the car I noticed a teen aged boy with brilliant red hair and mirrored aviator sunglasses walking from the counter towards the picnic tables in the neighboring field. I recognized him immediately.  His Mother is one of my Facebook friends.  When I was in high school her mother taught in the school that I attended. And although I never sat in Mrs. Fox’s classroom through her kind spirit and compassionate soul she became a mentor, a confidant and a friend.  For an a six foot tall awkward girl in high school who just didn’t fit in with the other students a friendly, compassionate and understanding face was truly a gift sent from above. And today she was sent to reconnect with me via an ice cream cone!  Not only were my Facebook friend and her family enjoying a sweet summer treat, her parents (my Mrs. Fox) was with her too!

 The imprint that Nancy Fox had upon my life thirty some years ago has stayed with me to this day.  Be yourself and you will be seen.  Never ever underestimate your value in this life because even if you don’t see it, you are valuable.  And cleanliness is next to godliness!  (An inside joke as she assisted me in starting a little house cleaning service)

  With my small twist ice cream cone in hand I joined Nancy and her family.  It had been over four years since I had seen her and these past four years have been particularly significant for me. Today was simply the time to sit at the picnic table enjoy our cold summer treats and catch up on the, who, what and where of our lives. Another time we will catch up on the deep details that have etched the passing years.   Nancy asked if I still kayaked, which I do. I believe that one day this summer she and I will share a paddle upon a picturesque lake and fill in the blanks that occurred in between the years.  I am so grateful that I listened to that voice within that guided me to the ice cream stand this afternoon.  Not before my chores but after, when she would be there!

 That has been the story of my life these past few years…..I see, or I sense or I am guided, however the message comes.  In the past I have shrugged it off as nonsense, but now I listen and trust. On a Saturday in January of 2012 I wrote a blog post called “Love Letters”.  It was about the different ways that heart shaped images appear to me and that they, along with other “coincidences” are really love letters sent to us from our love ones now residing above. 

  After posting that blog I was compelled to send it to a distant Facebook friend who is an accomplished TV News Reporter, a writer, (she has written two books, Stay Tuned, Conversations with Dad, and I’m Spiritual Damit!) interviewed many spiritual leaders of our time, performed a one woman show and currently writes for the Chicago Tribune.  A full and diverse resume for sure and why I thought she would have any interest in a blog from a controller of a lumber and building supply cooperative about signs and connections from beyond escapes me, but something told me to send it.  So I did. Within a half hour I received a response from Jen she said “this was exactly what I needed to hear!  Thank you!”

  From then on each time I encountered another heart I sent it to her.  They appeared in rocks, gum, shells, flowers, clouds, tar, leaves and even tomato soup!  I never knew for sure if she truly appreciated the connective images or she was just a very kind soul humoring me.  That was until she asked to use my photos in her third book.  A few weeks ago her book was released digitally and after enough digital copies are sold it will be printed. I believe that one day I will hold her book, accompanied by my pictures introducing each chapter, in my hand.

  This long distance connection nurtured through the World Wide Web has been a gift to me.  Through it I have realized that the little things that I do and share with others really do matter.

  On June 2^nd as I was sitting in the Phoenix airport waiting for my flight that was to take off at 10:30 am and was rescheduled to take off twelve hours later at 10:30 p.m. I was reflecting on my magical and enriching trip to Sedona that week. And I wrote these words…

 ”Until you fully love yourself you cannot truly love someone else. We enter relationships with the expectations that they will complete us, make us whole, but the truth is that we need to embrace who we are first and be comfortable with that because it is not our partner’s job to do it for us.  It is only when we begin a relationship with an unencumbered heart that we will be able to fully and completely love another.”

  So back to connections.  Jenniffer Weigel’s third book is titled “This Is Not the Life I Ordered….Setting Sail When Your Relationship Fails.”  It may be a book that chronicles her life post-divorce, but it is really a book about learning to love yourself first….I love the parallel thoughts and themes.  We are all truly connected.  You just have to be open to hear and see. Down load it on Kindle, Nook or Vook (for your PC).  Jen is witty, honest and real…..you will feel as if you are sitting with a girlfriend sharing a cup of coffee or glass of wine and talking about what is going on in your life. (And if I must say the pictures are pretty good too!!­)

 These past several years I continue to trust what I hear and what I see.  Many times I am guided to take a picture and at the time I may not really see the gift captured within the image.  As I returned from a trip to Chicago in March to meet Jenniffer Weigel and another friend conducting a joint event I landed in Newark New Jersey.  As I was wheeling my suitcase to my car I was drawn to the sky and stopped to take several pictures….here is the image that appeared on the camera.

  Last week while out walking in my neighborhood once again I was drawn to the sky.  A mystical and magical image for sure that confirms we always have someone above watching out for us…..

….and today without seeing what was contained within the clouds I was compelled so to snap picture after picture……Maybe you too see why. 

 It has taken me many years to trust what I hear, see and sometimes only sense, but it is there…..listen to what you hear and drawn to do.  Your inner guidance is more acute than any GPS you can purchase and it will lead you to people and places that you never imagined.