Too often I let days slip by, blurring into one another like white lines passing me by on the highway. This year, I am working so hard to do less of this. To be an active participant in my life. To enjoy moments, take opportunities when they come, and accept my current circumstances for what they are.
Some days I succeed with this new motto, and yesterday was one of them. I am pouring my heart out to you today, because joy is spilling out of it. Sometimes I feel guilty when I feel so happy. Because I know that there are people out there who are suffering. Just yesterday I read a blog about woman whose husband had just left her. But I am deciding today, that I will not feel guilty for my happiness. It is mine.
Yesterday, I spontaneously rearranged my schedule to take the day off and accompany Casey on a work trip to Livingston, NY. He was going to have to go alone on a trip that was 5.5 hours each way, and I decided that I could rearrange my day to keep him company. We hit the road early and left a brewing snow storm to head to NY where it was 60 degrees and sunny! We sang LOUDLY most of the way, talked, and laughed.
While Casey worked (he is so cute wearing his hard hat!) I explored the very small town, took a tour at a local “Ice Factor” …where they really just make ice, and got my haircut (where I met a quirky young woman whose mother-in-law apparently took her shirt off the first time they met. What is the proper response to a story like that? Mine was “oh. wow.”) I have a new appreciation for my mother-in-law! (Thanks, Charlene!)
We had dinner on the way home at Cracker Barrel, and then spent the rest of the drive listening to Bon Jovi, Wilson Phillips, Michael Jackson, and Billy Joel.
The point of this story? Yesterday it felt good to be alive. My heart was happy spending a simple day road trip with my husband. Dreaming of our future, jumping out at random scenic view areas on the highway to take pictures, laughing about our life, and discussing the mother-in-law of my newest hairdresser.
wow, that is quite a story from the hairdresser. I think I am not very approachable at the hairdresser because mine don't say much, except once I mention I have three kids, 5 and under, they tell me to take a nap.
What a happy day!!
Definitely don't dwell on other people's miseries. Enjoy the good times!
Hello Jenn, thanks for your advice for twitter. I signed up but I still don't know how it is going to help spread the word of my blog. But I guess I should be patient.
You totally infected me with your joy! What a great way to start the morning. 🙂
Ah this is such a lovely post 🙂 Your philosophy is one that I am trying to adopt this year too, and so far it's making me feel happier than ever! I'm glad to see you are enjoying it too!
I totally CRACKED UP at the hairdresser's story!
I'm so glad you guys had a great day! 😀
Joy is infectious! 🙂
Great post! It's good to read of happy moments. And you're so right: we need to appreciate our life more.
And: if we deny ourselves whatever happiness we can find in our lives, this won't help other people the least bit. So: no feeling guilty for feeling happy!
I so agree that you have to enjoy the moments cause dwelling on the bad stuff, life just keeps passing you by. This post definitely made me feel good. This was a feel good post.
Sounds like a great day! And what a good idea to get a haircut in a random town you're visiting! Fun!
Sweet memories of days spent together are priceless. Isn't it fun and interesting what complete strangers will reveal?
Wow, what a wonderfully upbeat post! I'm glad you had such a good time, and didn't feel guilty about it.
Now, to get the image of my Mother-in-law topless OUT of my head!!
Oh I love this. 🙂 I love your blog. Great layout!
Love it! I'm gonna call you guys the greeting card couple. You make me smile. Where's the haircut pic?
one of the reasons I scrapbook.
great photos
I love reading this- hearing someone be happy with what they have and realizing there is joy in the every day.