Today was a pretty good day.  I did not begin the day by “washing” myself with a candle so it was pretty much a successful start. 

Any morning that begins with good smelling soap in a super cute sample size is supposed to be a good one, right?  However, a morning that starts off with the afore mentioned product and ends in a moment of wide eyed open mouthed stun, random white streaks of partially melted wax lining your body and your feet unexpectedly slipping on the suddenly treacherous shower floor is open to anything the universe decides to dish out.  So while THAT wasn’t the best morning, THAT was a different day so logically speaking, today could only be better – can I get an “Amen” on that?

*let me take a moment to acknowledge the wonderful products I discovered in the Out Of The Box Sampler I tested – described best by the words: decadent; delicious; swoon-ily scented; SQUEEEE-worthy adorably packaged; pandora’s treasures tripled; but I should add the disclaimer that if you are socially inept enough to not know the difference between a “Sample Soap” and a “Sample Tart Warmer” you probably should not use the products if you are not fully awake and aware… ‘nuff said.

I had one of the best days with my kids recently.  In a random moment I discovered a used book/book swap store.  Since going to the library usually involves astronomical late fees (can you spell pro-crass-tin-aye-shun ?) we don't get there as often as we should, want to, or have time to.  Finding the bookswap shop was a goldmine!  I gathered the kids in a hurry after school, complete with a bag full of books we scavenged up from our shelves, and we hauled off to the decadently musty smelling store where we spread out and could hardly contain ourselves.  "ooh, look at this one!" and "Hey, look, this is awesome!" and "awwww, I remember this one!" and even "put that down right now! that's NOT a book for YOU!" were a few phrases tossed out during our sojourn.  We each got a book, and I even found a goldmine collection to be used as a gift for my son who is 13 this week.  What a wonderful time we had.  It was so much fun that I got all giddy and we splurged on a restaurant dinner - did you know you could feed 3 people - including a hungry male teenager - at a sit down restaurant for under $20?  Neither did I.  But it happened!  Good times, good food, and the knowledge that our family is as strong as ever in spite of the storm we are currently weathering.  When I thought I had so little, I realized I had more than enough.
 
My new job is one that I am going to seriously enjoy enjoying.  There is a part of me that is slightly ashamed of that little fluttery heart emotion because someone I know and admire calls it a “stupid little job”.  I see their point of view but I can’t help but think that while it  may be “little” and not requiring great intelligence, neither does it call for non-intelligence, lack of self, or make me feel ashamed at the end of the day.  I’ve been there – been in that slimy shamed place where I found myself weeping and wordless when the day was done, not even feeling relieved at a paycheck but somehow prostituted by it, so maybe I just have a different perspective or even a different insight.  Would I rather be standing in front of a classroom expounding on womens rights, consumerism, the power of “no”, and the priceless importance of emotional support as I've done before? Yep – but only in a totally selfish way.  Honestly I find that I bring as much joy, life altering moments of clarity, and self  awareness into my new job as I ever did in my previous chosen career.  It’s less money, less prestige, less autonomy, but also less stress, less responsibility, less work.  Aaaand: more fun.  I have so much more than ‘enough’.

*enough defined: – anonymous email sent to me by SW -  I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear. I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more. I pray you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting. I pray you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger. I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.  I pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I pray you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

And so as I finish this post and it's randomness of tarts, candles, new jobs, and new awareness, I leave you with my wishes that you too would have enough.

May you have enough today… and rejoice in it while being aware of how many have so much less and don’t even know it.

Love,