Saturday, March 20, 2010

My dearest God,

I want to choose a life of joy. I want to reach for the half full cup rather than the half empty one. I want to grab for the positive rather than the negative. I want to share what is good in the world not what is bad. I want to live on the happy side rather than the unhappy one.

More and more you have revealed to me that life is a choice. With some restrictions and limitations, of course, I can pretty much decide how I want to look at life. I can describe the wonders of every day living or I can complain. Frankly, I choose the good over the bad.

Nobody has to tell me how bad things are in the world and/or in some people's lives. I already know it. I have heard it time and again. So after I hear it so many times, I can choose to hear it again or simply say, "Please can you share some good news?"

One of the blessings or gifts you have given me is the ability to participate in mini celebrations. Every little present in life can be a moment to commemorate. Today I reveled in several minis. It was just wonderful. Although I made merry by myself, I went throughout the day feasting on your spirit.

First, I breathed in fresh, sweet air of spring. I gloried in my work in the garden. I sent up special praises. Second, I filled 9 1/2 bags of leaves and winter debris. I gave thanks for the energy to do the work. Third, I washed four pairs of tennis shoes and five pair of garden gloves. They were like new. I was delighted. Fourth, I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner on the screened in porch, listened to the sound of the chimes gently pulsed by a soft spring-like breeze, and wrote my letter to you from the newly oiled 10 year old wooden table. What a treat! Finally, I took a soaking bath with a wine glass filled with chocolate milk, a plate of withering cut up apples, shaved ham that was hours from being thrown out, crackers and peanut butter and two six month old orange slice candies. With a candle burning and contemplative music playing, I just kept breathing hallelujahs to you for the special joy afforded me.

What I have learned is this: I can make joy out of the smallest occasion. I don't need big reasons in order to ceremonialize. Breathing in life-giving oxygen is cause for happiness. The warmth of the sun bringing new hues to green grass, blue skies and purple and yellow crocus is enough to spread a wide smile on my face. Tuning in to a flowing fountain can bring scenes of waterfalls in state parks. Watching the wind ripple across the pond tells me spring is indeed nearby and more beauty is unfolding.

As the sun began to set with orange, pink and yellow skies, I spoke the exceptional moments of the day, some of which I have mentioned here. I simply said thank you.

Thank you
for all
my parties today,
dear God.
I thoroughly enjoyed
each one.

Love, Andrea