Unexpected Joy

Sometimes inspiration appears at the moment you least expect it. When it happens, stop and savor.

I don't want to delve into cheap clichés about smelling roses and life being short. The truth is, sometimes life is difficult and painful and no matter the blessings I find myself bitter. It is easy to get stuck in that rut by complaining and setting my focus on the negative. This morning it's physical pain. I am frustrated that my back and hip refuse to heal as quickly as I want them to. I am forced to live in this place of injury that affects every aspect of my life. From trouble sleeping, to working(hurts when I sit too long) to a complete inability to do any form of yard work. It's depressing, actually.

Have you ever met that person who won't shut up about their physical problems? I worked with someone once who insisted on describing her bowel movements in great detail. I quit after 10 months. She was the most negative person I have ever encountered. I don't EVER want to be that person.

This morning I quaked and groaned out of bed. I had a deep desire to ride my bike and a sincere worry that I would make my injury worse if I did so. But I so craved the sunshine. Decisions, decisions. So I stretched and used my heating pad and decided to ride carefully rather than stay home and pout. It was slow going but I love the fresh air. The clouds were absolutely stunning so I just sucked in the sunshine and let my heart unclutter. I decided to take a different road and found myself by the airport. I looked up and there it was...my reason for climbing on my bike this morning.

And my camera doesn't do it justice but my heart feels lighter and that is what is most important.

An Epsom salt bath and some ice later and I'm still in pain. I'm getting ready to head out the door for all of the errands that must be accomplished in this sweltering St. Louis weather. But I wanted to share with others that when we take time to explore, when we invest in our bodies, when we open our eyes to the beauty around us, we will find tranquility that we will never encounter when shutting ourselves in our homes or complaining.

Go see something new today--even if it is the mysterious box turtled crossing the road in suburbia(I almost ran over him!). And let your heart be light!