This morning, unlike most, I made the time to sit and enjoy. Simply sit and enjoy. No pretense. No plan. No true reason. I found myself sitting on my patio, coffee cup in hand, enjoying the sights, sounds, and scents of my garden and the creatures that decided to visit today. To be honest, it was comforting and peaceful. I find comfort in the simplest things anymore. The sounds of the fountain and the splashing of the water soothe me. I’ll feed the fish in a few minutes. As is always the case, I am certain their golden, orange, white scaled bodies will ripple the surface of the pond as they quickly nibble away at their food. Many of my flowers are in bloom. I can smell the confederate Jasmin blooming nearby. My roses are teasing me with their tiny buds and hints of delicate color soon to be. The beautiful amaryllis flowers, gifted to me by my late Uncle Comer, are in full bloom. Their pinks and reds punctuate my garden with vibrant color. They are a reminder of precious love and the connection we have with those that we most cherish. I remember his steadfast love and loyalty to family. He was a hard worker, and his life seemed to center on giving to others. I am thankful for this and many other gifts he gave me. Tiny bluebirds hop around in the fresh turned soil in my garden, a task I only just completed. I’m happy I made it a little easier for them to find what they need. They are, no doubt, looking for a fresh worm for their breakfast. That small portion of my garden will be a sweet potato patch soon. I don’t even like sweet potatoes, but my Mom does. I hope to be able to give her fresh sweet potatoes from my garden later this year. I can hear birds call to one another, and I see a bluejay fly close by. It is, no doubt, in search of its’ morning meal. Maybe that jay is really looking for a life well lived. Can the small bird have a plan for how it should live its’ life? Nonetheless, I hope it finds precisely what it is looking for. We are both simple nomads, in search of something. This morning, it feels as if that Jay and I have a kinship. For me at this early time, it seems profound to even think this. And this is how my day began. I am utterly at peace. The stresses of the world remain, but I am insulated, at least for a moment, away from the bad and ugly of the world.

So, today, I am Thankful for this moment of Peace. Peace, for me, isn’t something that comes easily or often. To be honest, I worry a lot. I often find myself fixating on the negative side of things. In my mind, planning for the worst possible outcome will prepare you for anything that may happen. That simple statement is a bit ambiguous. It is a coping statement and for me it is probably a trauma response, borne of past experiences that hurt me emotionally. There is some truth in that simple statement, but it can be damaging. It allows us to stay in that bad and self-defeating place. It is damaging and I’ve been told that this is simply the way I am wired. It is my predisposition, and it is something I must work at every single day to try to overcome. I’m working at it. Today, as I reflect and feel this peace and happiness, is another step in my own journey to being a better me. God, I hope so.

So today, as I sit in my own tiny world, surrounded by beauty and happiness, I can see that I should focus on the good. I should find the beauty wherever it may be. I should find, feel, and share in the Peace, wherever it may be. And I should take time to reflect. That tiny bluejay didn’t know it would bring me to this point in my life, but it did. I owe that creature a debt of gratitude. Our lives, at least for this moment, are intertwined. My life, the little bluejay’s life, the life we seek, all connected somehow. I think, after my chores are completed this morning, I’ll go out and purchase a supply of food to share with the bluejay. Life is hard and I’d like to make it a little better for my new friend.

Peace and Love to all. I hope you find what you are searching for. Remember to find happiness but also remember that you may be the agent of happiness for others. I suppose it should be obvious, but I will say it. Share happiness and you may feel happiness. Happy Saturday Ya’ll. Signed, happily yours, Joe from the South