The Art of Living in the Present

This picture was taken about five years ago on one of our many cruises. I am thankful for all the vacations we went on. We took one to two cruises a year when we didn't have the store. I am used to always having something planned to look forward to. This year no vacation was ever planned. But, with my job I do get a good amount of time off. It is the most weekends I have ever worked (again the store I owned was in a great location and it was a great place to be in every weekend for five years)at a job, since waitressing 40 years ago. So, I am just getting through the day to day without much time to plan anything. I hope next year is different. But, I am thankful for all of my vacation memories and look forward to making new ones. But, part of my journey to joy is about how important it is to have a change of scenery every once in awhile. I love driving and looking out the car window. It's hard to be in a mall, but at least our store is fronted by windows, so I get to see a parade of people each day. Also, since I was near the beach last year, I really appreciated my walks. I had to stop bringing my phone, because I would probably take about twenty pictures each day to capture these amazing moments. I captured sunrises, sunsets, blooming flowers, dolphins, oyster catchers, sandpipers, whale's feeding, rainbows,and concerts. But, at the end of the day I still ask myself "why?". I will definitely figure it out, someday. I just have to put it together one day in some kind of order. So, I am finishing, now, what I started to write yesterday. It was a crazy day, but the first whole day I spent in my new home. I was awaiting a new sofa and loveseat. It was due to arrive from 7:30am-10am. They arrived after 4pm, along with an email at 12:30 that the order was cancelled. Many robo calls and texts later, I was able to talk to a human being. It finally worked out. I was able to fully relax for the first time, in a very long time. So, this brings me to one of the hardest things to do. Not expect anything, and to live in serenity. So, yesterday gave me the time to start putting away and organizing. Some things brought up emotions, and I had enough time to let that happen and flow. I found two things that gave me the most comfort. I hung them up in prominent places, to read from time to time. They are the Serenity Prayer, which was the first thing I hung at my first house on Brielle Road in Manasquan. The other was a cross stitch given to me by my Aunt when we bought our first house. She was an avid sewer. She was a wonderful person, my father's sister. We went to the Folk Art Museum in New York together. And, we were able to go to an National Quilt show, also. Each quilt represented each of the states, and were very artistic reflecting where the makers were from. So, it ended up a difficult day, but I got through it. And, this morning I think I have a plan to get the last of my things put away. So, I think to live and appreciate the present, I can not just forget the past. It is to have an appreciation and, honestly some sorrow. But, when I really look at the past. I can honestly say if there was a struggle, there always was a silver lining. I am looking forward to new memories. I am setting up creative and cozy corners. I can't wait to get to do some creating, and decorating for the holidays. Quote of the Day: The Serenity Prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Song of the Day: Elvis Costello: Peace Love and Understanding