Pour Yourself a Glass

Last week I forwarded one of Rev Run's Words Of Wisdom quotes to a friend. It was about figuring out what makes you happy and then simply DOING IT. I loved it. It's simple, but why some of us make it hard on ourselves, I don't know.  I'm guilty too! My friend's reply was, "yeah, simple, but money and time are a factor." Jeez, got negative much?! I shared the fact that I feel my happiest moments often had nothing to do with money and took little time.


Some defining moments in my life are obvious. Becoming a mother. Falling in love. Graduating. Learning to drive. Getting promoted. Standing in front of Maxwell at his concert at the Grammy museum. And the list goes on. Those moments certainly deserve value and recognition, but I'll get into detail in another blog. Not today.


Today, I want to pay homage to those priceless moments. The moments that bring me happiness and break my hectic life down to breaths of peace. Despite some rough times, I'm not so jaded and do recognize what makes me happy.


Recently, I've been afforded the opportunity to spend more time with my Grandparents. It's the silver lining to a painful event in my life. Isn't life grand to hand you a little sugar with the salt? My Grandparents are in their 80's and I know I don't have much time with them, so I'm holding on to these moments with both hands. I am blessed. The other night, I walked down the hallway and could see my Grandfather in his room sitting in front of the television watching baseball. I think it's SO cute that my grandparents still bicker at each other, still watch tv together, still eat together. It's amazing. This particular night, my Grandma was washing her face as my Grandpa watched tv. As I neared their room, I said, "Hi Dad" (I affectionately call my Grandparents Mom and Dad). He looked up from the TV and had a very sweet look on his face while he said, "Hi!" He said it in a way that I interpreted as, "I'm happy you're here." Every fiber of my body smiled. It was a moment that I wish I could bottle up and put on a shelf for the next time I need a pick-me-up. It was just what I needed and right on time.


My daughter will be 13 in March. Every day I hope to make it through without having to bitch her out or repeat myself a hundred times. That girl tests all my patience. Since the day she was born to last night, however, when I see her sleep, I want to shed tears of joy. It is honestly the most peaceful sight ever. Often, I end up kissing all over her face because I am so proud to be her Mom. It never fails that when I do that, she doesn’t wake up being mad. She always gives me a sleepy smile and says, “I love you, Mommy.” That girl sure knows how to make me feel guilty for being a meanie during the day.


There is a man that I love. He is simple and complex. Half the time I can’t read him or figure him out, but if I were blindfolded, I could still tell you if he’s in the room. My senses dance when he’s near. I swear I can feel this man in my bones. He’s a man of few words, but there have been numerous times when I would walk into the room and his glance said it all. His eyes tell me I’m beautiful inside and out. His smile makes me feel lucky to know him. It’s in those moments, words are unnecessary. In those moments, nothing else matters.


I have a dear friend who is my rock. She prays for me and lifts me up when I’m at my lowest. We don’t see each other often and don’t need to. We don’t even talk regularly, but when we do, the conversation picks up as if we just got disconnected. There have been countless times during our friendship that I feel like she can hear my soul calling her. I’ll have challenging days and suddenly I’ll get an email from her filled with encouraging words and a note that she was just thinking about me. Her role in my life is priceless. She is a part of my makeup and one of the greatest teachers God has gifted me with. I wish I could gather up all of the words she has shared with me and put them in a song. I would walk about this life with it on repeat and let my soul sing.


It’s a blessing to have the ability to know what makes you happy. While I always believe in striving for better, don’t forget to pay equal attention to the blessings you already hold. I’m certain everyone is surrounded by beauty that doesn’t rob us of precious time and money. For me they are in smiles from strangers. Glances. Random acts of kindness, given and received. Watching elderly couples walk hand in hand. Smelling a baking cake. Looking up at a red light and noticing the sky is painted in beautiful hues. Listening to the radio and an oldie but goodie comes on. Getting a whiff of a perfume or cologne that can awaken memories of precious times. Laughter from babies. Sea breezes, crashing waves and warm sand in my toes. Hellos. Bear hugs. Laughing until you cry. Scratching that itch. Writing. Being still. Singing loudly in the car. Kisses on the neck. Complements about my cooking!


Each day brings new possibilities. I challenge you to identify what brings you happiness. When you do, bottle them up and put them on the shelf. When life gets hectic, pour yourself a glass. You deserve it!


As always, wishing you PEACE, BLESSINGS and Deelicious Fun!