I totally surprised myself and had a wonderful day at work. It’s incredible how changing your mindset about a certain thing can actually change your experience. I was in a lighthearted, jovial mood when I got in my car to drive home. I snaffled down my ‘way home from work’ apple. A couple of weeks ago I decided to embrace the apple-a-day philosophy. (And I’m not talking about electronic devices. If you were a fly on the wall, you’d believe I was).
I also started a seemingly easy and insignificant habit of meditating for ten minutes each morning before I leave for work. The yogic wisdom I borrowed this idea from suggests thinking about what you most want in life and imaging and feeling it as already true. I decided my focus during meditation would be the simple truth that God will never leave or forsake me. Therefore, no matter what today brings, God is with me and I concentrate on feeling His presence and deep breathing. Works wonders.
A blizzard broke out halfway home. Totally surprised me. The closer I got to home the less visability there was. Roads starting to get slick. I gratefully pulled up to my driveway and eased my car into the garage, excited about the prospect of changing into my flannels and sitting by the fire surrounded by all my favorite things. No, not girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes…
I’m giddy with indecision as to what to engage in first. I can hear the faint jingling of our chimes out on the deck, in between songs. I’m listening to the classic crooning of Nat King Cole but hope I have time for Ella, Louis, Frank, Miles, Harry and Josh before the sandman calls me to bed. I decided to read my journal from the past long weekend and was astonished to find that the information I copied from my Yoga-Well Being magazine totally resonated with the wisdom I copied down Galatians 5. I’m going to implement some changes. Small doable changes so as not to get overwhelmed and stop all good things. There is so much I want to put down on paper in one form or another. Writing brings such clarity.
Then there’s my iPad calling me in soft whispers to browse Netflix and Pinterest. There’s a stack of inspirational magazines enticing me to flip through their glossy pages for tantalizing tips and wisdom on everything from “Mindful strategies too feel balanced, happy and healthy”, “Pursuing Authenticy: The world needs who you were made to be”, “Starting your dream business”or “The heart and soul of cooking” and “Inspiring workspaces of extraordinary women”.
When can I read all these interesting books? I want to know how to ‘Rise Strong’. I want to ‘Taste and See’. I’d love to be ‘Fiercehearted’. I’d love to be ‘Fully Alive’. And ‘Embraced’. I want to experience ‘The Gifts of Imperfection’. To learn to live ‘Present over Perfect’ or ‘Brave the Wilderness’. ‘Girl, Wash Your Face’ has proved to be just what I needed. Can’t wait for ‘Girl, Stop Apologizing’. ‘Authentic Living’ has me pondering all these things in my heart.
Robert Louis Stevenson wrote a short but powerful poem. ‘The world is so full of a number of things, I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings”. Short. Simple. Succinct.
I forgot to mention the arrangement of roses gracing the table where I sit. The dainty rose gold mulled apple cider candles burning warmly around the table. And my tall takeout mug of cold apple juice (Lexie and I have become addicted lately. There’s no middle of the road for us. We either dislike a thing or we’re addicted). No added sugar. In fact, I usually drop a few ice cubes in to dilute and chill it. My ruffled black flannel pyjama pants covered with white hearts coupled with a cozy black loose, tailed vintage lulu lemon sweater completes this moments favorite things.
The Red Plaid Apron 