Remembering....

Today's Simple Pleasures are forever etched in memory... to be brought up again and again, not for the event itself, but for the prodding of the soul that the memory invokes.

An Australian cup of Earl Grey... Australian because I've added milk and honey.... and it reminds me of one foggy morning a long time ago, sipping tea, overlooking the Megalong Valley in the heart of the Blue Mountains. And when I take a sip, I remember the simple pleasure of "being" in that cup of Earl Grey.

A downpour of raindrops the size of my thumb... and watching the birds splash in the puddles when the deluge has ended... I am reminded to wait out the storm and see the joys made available only because of the downpour.

A quiet so deafening that I open my eyes just to make sure I am still in the same place.. and then relishing in that quiet, searching, in every widening circles, to hear something, anything that will ground me and remind me of where I am. Finally hearing the crash of the ocean waves on the shore - a sound I could never hear before because it was drowned out by the goings and comings of everyday life.

The feeling of resolve when I've made my choice - damn the consequences - and I know, in my heart of hearts, that it is the choice that voices my values, regardless of what others may think, say, or do in the aftermath of my announcement. That unencumbered feeling of freedom that makes me think I can fly... the excitement of moving the journey forward - anticipating what is around the next bend - eager to see what else life has to offer because I have finally made a choice.

These are some of my simple pleasures of this day... this moment... I shall treasure them, and remember them when I need them most.

In those times when I forget where I've already been and what I accomplished despite the opposition and negativity that surrounded me at the time.

In those times when I get caught up in the drama and forget that waiting it out will produce pleasure that I will not experience unless I go through the storm.

In those times when I am not anchored and I forget that all I have to do is be still and listen.

In those times when my heart tells me not to give in, not to give up, not to let go of my dignity, my honor, my self-respect.

Remembering.......