A Wonderful Young Woman (Day 6)

Today was designed to be a wonderfully uneventful day–if you look at my calendar, that is. Of course, the universe often has plans of its own. Mind you, I’m not complaining. The universe’s plans eventually turn out to be much better than my own. 

Today I was visited by someone I haven’t seen in a while. This is someone I fiercely admire. By simply living her life, she has taught me so many lessons: on fighting for what you believe in, on admitting you’ve stumbled and looking for better ways, on accepting your limitations and learning to overcome them, on thriving in whichever environment you may find yourself in, on recognizing the importance of what you do, on letting go of the superficial, on the inner strength that resides in all of us. 

Today, I thank the universe for sending my way this wonderful reminder, this very timely push that I didn’t know I needed. More than that, I thank the universe for the privilege of having the most awesome woman I know as a friend.

Rethinking “Wonderful” (Day 5)

I am not an adventurous person. The rush and excitement are welcome breaks to the everyday life. But let’s be realistic about it. Who can really handle all those hormones and emotions, stress and sweat, highs and lows on an everyday basis? I’ll more often than not choose a quiet day over an eventful one spent jostling for some space in the train, navigating the traffic snarls, and negotiating one meeting to the next. 

Yesterday was about finding the wonderful in the ordinary. In my book, a simple day where the only issue I had to face was a minor one with the building administrator is a very good day. An uneventful day means no big problems, no urgent issues. A quiet day is a peaceful, wonderful one. 

Two Wonderful Days (Days 2 and 3)

When Saturday brought us together, it was a bundle of energy and excitement. It knew just how much we were all looking forward to spending the day with old friends. Saturday was all about catching up with each other, sometimes laughing, sometimes serious, sometimes pondering, always underscored by genuine love, concern and mutual respect. Conversations punctuated with mmms and aaahhs as we kept on eating and eating – just a little more cake, some more of those chips, or one more buffalo wing – always more.   

Caught in an endless moment of friendship, we didn’t notice as Saturday quietly slipped into Sunday. It tiptoed its way; the faint sound of its light footsteps easily drowned by our stories and laughter. Before we knew it, the sun was peeking out and it was time to answer the last question, reminisce that last anecdote, and take that mandatory group picture for those who couldn’t make it.

Seeing our hearts filled, Sunday lovingly ushered us home. Our hearts were quiet, joyful, and content within the bonds of the strongest of friendships.  

One Wonderful Day

 Indeed. 

While the world was rearing its ugly face at me, I got a call from a very long-lost friend. It’s been more than a decade since I last saw her. The best part: I’m seeing her tomorrow!

My husband is on his way home from a business trip abroad! Can anything be more wonderful than that?

I’m reminded of a quote from Love Actually (photo below is screen grabbed from the movie’s opening scene):

 

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion’s starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it’s not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it’s always there – fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends.

 

 

100 Wonderful Days

A few minutes ago, I decided to challenge myself to have 100 Wonderful Days. I was feeling good about myself, my life. The day wasn’t half done and I’ve crossed off two major tasks from my to-do list.

Just as I made that decision, then came text messages bringing me back to reality. As if some negative energy out there was taunting me: “Kiddo, life’s not rosy. Not at all. Here’s Problem #1. Deal with it NOW. Here’s Problem # 2. Should have been dealt with yesterday. Oh, by the way, you should have been finished with this and this and this as well. See? You won’t even make it to wonderful day number 10.”

 

(Image from http://www.oopsiedaisy.com)

But you know what, I’ll deal with whatever comes my way and still forage through the noise. I’ll always find the gems, you’ll see. I’ll re-focus myself to connect with the happy, the good, the awe-inspiring, the beautiful, the hope-filled, the exciting, the calming, the life. Even in the midst darkness, there’s always light.