Good Day

Not long ago, I had a really good day, that turned into a really good week.  This was after a fairly crappy year, during the tension of the election season, and I was in a funk.  So I really noticed that good day. 

On that day, four delightful things happened: 1) I tracked down an old family friend through Facebook; 2) the old friend (a poet) happily agreed to review a draft of my new book; 3) my younger son received a job offer; and, 4) Chicken Soup for the Soul sent an email stating that a story I had submitted made it through the first round of  review, and was being considered for a humor collection in 2025. 

Later in the week, more good things happened, the best being that my family friend followed through with a glowing review of my draft book. 

I’ve never been one to keep a gratitude list.  Instead, I just have a generally positive attitude and realize that I have wonderful things in life.  But I don’t typically count and note those wonderful things individually.  I am changing that perspective late in this challenging year.  From now on, I will be looking for and noticing moments of joy, positivity, and laughter. 

Rather than just putting my weight into the harness and moving on with my work, despite my funk, I will be looking for the delights along the way.  On the frozen fog days, I will notice the ice crystals and the quiet air, instead of just bemoaning the lack of sun.  I expect a lot of gray as I travel the days ahead but will cherish the bright moments of time with friends and family, and the little successes along the way. 

I’ve always loved this Haiku by Mizuta Masahide, a 17^th century Japanese poet:

Barn’s burnt down now I can see the moon.

I’ll be looking for the moon as soon as the frozen fog disperses. 

P.S.  I now have a newsletter on substack: Read. Write. Ride.  You can find it and subscribe here:   https://michelleeames.substack.com/. The approximately monthly newsletter will have thoughts on my (you guessed it) reading, writing, and riding.  This blog will still continue.