,
The sun just broke through the clouds. A stream of sunlight is washing over a portion of my front yard at the moment as I am sitting down to type. But that is the precise feeling that was felt last weekend - an aha, an appreciation, a reminder to be present and savor.
I spent the entire long weekend at home, in Bend. No getaway weekend, no quick flight to somewhere jolly and new. Nope, I just stay in my hometown. And doing so was lovely.
Maybe too lovely, I will admit, because it made it hard to return to school knowing how close the summer holiday is, but what it reminded me of was the joyful days and weeks that are ahead.
The details that helped make the weekend a true joy to luxuriate in were simple: books, flowers, an abundance of rain, time without a clock, a smartphone that decided to no longer work, food in the kitchen to tinker around with new recipes, a wonderful new-to-me film and series, my boys (bien sûr!), a beckoning, cozy bed and a quiet neighborhood as most everyone else was
away.
When we listen to what brings us joy, it makes it easier to celebrate and support the joy others find even if we may be different from our own. So long as both parties are respectful and supportive of what each has found to be most enjoyable, our world can be elevated, our relationships can be elevated, and thus we discover the power of getting to know ourselves.
As I was digging in the dirt, tending to some weeding after a lovely falling of spring rain making the soil malleable and the weeds pop out like the release of suction cups, Norman moseyed about and Oscar watched from the porch, keeping guard. I could not imagine a more lovely moment. And in such moments we are listening to ourselves, we are able to separate ourselves from the "should"s and see our everyday lives
elevate.
Your moments will be different, your ahas will be unique to you, but the similar discovery will be an inner calm and deep sense of liberation.
In today's newsletter, a few wrap-up posts from the tail-end of TSLL's British Week (an afternoon tea perhaps?), and the most popular post of 2019 - My Go-To Handbag for Work & Travel. As well, the regular posts and episodes you have come to expect each week. I do hope you enjoy, and until next Friday, I will see you on the
blog.
