And I Smiled

I wrote the word, "journal."

And I smiled.

Then I thought back to the train, the boat, and the halls.

And how I find myself smiling more and more often.

Even in the chaos of life.

Taking that moment to pause, breathe, and appreciate.

Maybe it's part of this second half of life, I find myself in.

I feel I have moved past the hurry and flurry I once lived.

That fear of missing out and drive to do more and more.

I see more and more often, I need to pause.

And smile.

Every day I journal.

Because I am a writer.

I enjoy the weekly blogs and the sporadic books, but the journal.

The journal is where the daily magic happens.

The journal is where I get caught in the flow.

The journal is a mix of handwriting and typewriting.

The flowing ink and text striping the blank pages with reckless abandon.

I just love it.

A few days ago, I wrote of those moments when I catch myself smiling.

Just immersed in the present moment.

In joy and in chaos, that pause and that breath make all the difference.

And it happened again.

Yesterday.

I always begin my journal with an affirmation.

Then I add some scripture and some stoic wisdom.

I follow this with a few sentences of gratitude.

Then I read passages from a few carefully selected wisdom books and take notes.

Then, I write the word "journal" below my notes.

Then I turn my mind loose on the playground.

I let it play and wander wherever it chooses.

The thoughts flow on my computer, but I capture some of my favorites on paper.

It's the way I do it because it's the way that brings me joy.

So yesterday as I wrote the word, "journal," I smiled.

It's not the first time this has happened.

I look forward to that moment from the moment I wake.

And when I get to that moment,

writing the word "journal," I know I have arrived.

I've arrived with a smile many times, but yesterday, I noticed.

I paused and noticed the joy I felt simply being there.

I thought about the train, the boat, the halls, and the second half of life.

I thought about the simple joy of doing what I love.

And I thought what a blessing it was to have this gift.

This moment that I mostly share just with the Spirit and Giver of life.

This moment I share sometimes friends, family, and my community.

This moment that makes me smile.

And so I'll say again as I said last week.

I hope we can find more and more moments

to pause, breathe, be present,

and smile.