Life is Good

I went over to the beach today to soak up some sun and to see if Irene did much damage.  I cruised on over in Jeepy, with the top down and music blaring.

On my drive over to the beach, the worry and anxiousness started to take over.  "Turn around, don't go to the beach.  Go back to school. Did you remember to....?"  And I almost listened to my thoughts...but as soon as my feet hit the sand (on the boardwalk, not on the beach because of the storm) I relaxed.  I eagerly walked up a slight incline of sand and stopped for the moment ---- the beach stretched before me.  People were sprinkled here and there, surfers bobbed in the water awaiting the next best wave, sand pipers were scurrying about at the water's edge... yes, it was that pristine.

I sunk into my chair and let the sun take away my worry.  "Oh, yes, the perfect beach day!"  I pulled out my newest and last summer read, "The Happiness Project".  It is a memoir of the author's own personal "happiness project".  The premise of the book caught my attention --- though happy, could one be happier?  But to be honest, I find it drags on and on all about her own agendas and plans, very little pertaining to anything I can apply to my own life.  (There is a "How to start your own happiness project" in the back of the book, but I am trying desperately to forge ahead to see if the "a-ha" moment lies within, but I am about to just skip to the end, and read the "how to".)  

So back to my pristine beach day, I walk along the water's edge and I am taking in all the salt air I can (because some of you know, salt air does wonders for your soul!)  and it occurs to me, "LIFE IS GOOD!"  I did, at one point, want to exclaim it aloud, but I do have some sense of decorum.  As I walked, I kept on repeating it, "Life is good!, Life is good!"  --- and I felt it.  I felt refreshed and renewed.  And I thought about some of the things that truly make me happy:

So here you go, my own happiness project not following any guidelines left by a self-centered author:

Marcie's Happiness Project (or things that make me want to scream, "Life is Good!")

wet puppy dog noses

listening to a special little girl play the piano

autumn leaves (not in my backyard)

September school supply shopping (nerd, at heart!)

the first day of school (with the students) (and yes, I am serious!)

a glass of wine (or two, ok, or three)

laughing until my stomach aches

children who call me "Aunt"

blue pens

my parent's health

gerber daisies

inspirational quotes (Emerson and Thoreau would be my utmost favs!)

cruising in the jeep with the top down

the warmth of the sun on my face

sand beneath my toes

& salt air on my skin

Ah, yes, Life is Good! 

:) Marcie