Okay, it seems kind of, "oh barf," but I just am so happy. I realized today that this is the feeling that I used to get on summer vacation: time stretching seemingly endlessly into the future, no routine, no commitments, no worries, no stress. And I have it - always. Year round. Ahhh.
I shut off the light last night, laid my head down on the pillow, looked out the window at the palm tree softly bobbing in the night (we keep one blind open, the other shut, so the first thing I see when I open my eyes is that palm tree) and was filled with a warm, flowing sense of contentment and pure happiness. I felt like my skin was melting, kind of the consistency of Bodyshop's body butter; I was glowing like a firefly. We so often scoff at our mental and emotional and psychological and spiritual feelings manifesting in our flesh, but haven't you been filled with a glow of happiness? Felt your heart constrict in hurt, or anxiety? There you go.
Braden River |
I'd like to say I drifted off on that cloud of contentment into Never Never Land, but I didn't. Menopause hit me where it rarely does: in the sleep deprivation department, and I lay awake, tossing and turning, counting my form of sheep: going through the Ashtanga yoga poses in order mentally, as it always works to send me off (concentrate? my brain says, uh not likely), but this time to no avail, and then my hip joints started jumping and aching. I finally, an hour later, got up for a glass of water, and headed back to Ashtanga poses (mentally) and drifted off somewhere after midnight. To top it off, the night was far from my usual zonked out sleep. Ah well. I feel fine today!
Triggers for my happiness just within this last 24 hours:
This fabric!
It makes me literally smile as I sew! I treated myself to this kit at Guildcrafters Quilt Shop in Berkley, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. I've mentioned this store before, and it's a good 'un. The sample was on display the first time I went in, which was last Fall, and it just called to me, so bright and happy and all things sunny. It's called "Summer Daze". Not my usual colours, this quilt is proving to be joyful to sew, and should work up in no time. What a perfect place to make it too, no?
CBC
I love my country. Love. Canada.
CBC Radio 2 has been one of my two favourite mainstream stations for . . . 24 years. The other is CKUA. A lot of people were very upset with CBC's format change of about 5-6 years ago, but I persevered listening, as I love Tom Allen, one of the DJs. Teaching grades 7-9, I also liked to be up on the latest new music: rock, pop, and alternative, especially Canadian music. And I still do. I've found so many good new artists. Young ones. And been so impressed by their talent. Here is one whose song just haunts me.
He, Tom Odell, British, was nominated in a couple of categories at the Brit Awards 2014. This gorgeous hunk of manhood is also British, Jamie N Commons. Oh I can look and drool!! ;-)
One of my favourite Canadian young female artists is Serena Ryder, who regularly puts out fantastic music. This song is one of my favourites.
Yes, music makes me happy!
Books
This segues nicely (English teacher in my raises her antenna) into the current book I'm just loving, The Tiger's Wife by Téa Obreht. I've mentioned her before, like twice(!) but the talent of this young person amazes me anew each day. It's one of those books I want to find out the ending but I don't want it to end!
Yoga
Had an awesome workout yesterday. I love my body and what it can do.
YIKES!
I thought that. Started to type, thought no I can't put that in writing. Then thought yes I can! I am so thankful for my abilities, and for the wonderful teachers I have and have had.
Rosemary Court is such a wonderful place. It's more than a studio, as you will see if you go there. Liana is an incredible teacher, and I love having my mind emptied for an hour and a half while she guides us through the Full Primary Series.
I was happy to hear from my bosses back home in Kingsville and Amherstburg Athletic Clubs, that they are "sooooo excited" to have me back to teach yoga for them, and can't wait, etc. Aww! I am so happy to work for such SUPER nice bosses.
Dogs
We've had two great dogwalks in the past two days, yesterday over the Ringling Causeway to Bird Key,
and today across State Road 70 to the Soccer and Baseball Park along the Braden Creek(?) a tributary off the Braden River. It's very back to nature behind the fields, and Rocco got to run a little. He liked that!
Friends
Keeping in contact with friends both near and far makes me so happy. Especially when we are sharing hilarious moments, dry wit, and silly fur kids pics!
Cue The Kinks: "Lazin' on a sunny afternoon!" |
Off to work on that Summer Daze quilt.
Update April 2
I'm so happy (LOL pun was not originally intended) there's an "edit" button for menopausal mess-ups! I meant to write that another moment of happy synchronicity happened in that 24 hours: a friend from yoga sent me some pics of his house in North Port, and in one room was a sign on the wall that said "Santosha". Well, I had a vague recollection of it, but had to look up the meaning again. Of course! One of the niyamas of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras! It means contentment.
'nuff said. If I can connect the dots here, anyone can. ;-)
U R such a great blogger! I swear, if you lived in upstate NY, you'd be my new BFF! Such parallel thoughts.....
ReplyDeleteMwwah! That's a kiss... Mmmph! and that's a hug for you from me. Thank you. I miss you! John said today that you'd told him you can't wait to see me next year...and I said I don't think I can WAIT that long!! I'm plotting a way--coughROADTRIPcough for us to meet half way... :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding us all that it's the simple things in life that make us that happiest!
ReplyDeleteMethinks your mind is emptied for more than an hour and a half during yoga LOL. Just sayin' ;p
ReplyDeleteAwesome post, as always.