A Pandemic Moment

And then the snow melted. And the sun laid claim of the sky. Flowers bloomed and heavy petals fell like snowflakes onto the emerald grass. We turn off our computers and put away the headphones. We open up.

The air is heavy with woodsmoke and lilacs. Bathing suits are nestled in backpacks next to toothbrushes and pencil cases full of markers. All the windows in the car are wide open. We put our feet in the river, sit on rocks to breathe it all in, cheer each other on as we charge up mountains.

The last 15 months demanded that we wrap ourselves up with hope and forge through uncertainty.

We learned to talk and cry and laugh through it all.

To have head-clearing bikes rides, to stop and smell all the flowers. To accept not knowing, to trust that some days feel like despair will triumph and others are like today, when the sweetness of slowing down reminds us that we can always come back to the present.

Where possibility is waiting and joy is born.

Moments like these can be cultivated.

If you seek them out, watch for the beauty or serenity or peace when it is about. You can find it in the harmony of nature or the smile on a loved one's face.

If you look for these moments and linger in that knowing more often, then you will begin to make it part of your lifestyle.

A way of being that can lighten the dreary days when you need it.

You will have encouraged your mind to always keep watch for what’s good, what moves you, or comforts you, or brings you peace.

This is how we practice gratitude.