Clear as Day

I've been thinking a lot about how one truly cultivates sustainable joy, awe....peace in life. 

So when questions like these arise I go to a place that has a way of showing me the answer. 

The garden.

First I sat. Took in the sight of zinnias, cosmos, and marigolds around me.

Closed my eyes and listened to everything outside of what was going on in my head. 

(I've found that shutting off one sense has a way of emphasizing the others. )

I could hear the multiple windchimes, somehow playing in melody. 

The buzzing of hummingbird wings.

The chirping of a titmouse and cardinal behind me.

The leaves rustling up against each other. 

I felt the wind blowing against my skin.

The heat of the sun heated up a patch of skin on my arm.

The weight of my feet as they grounded into the earth.

The cool and warm on my nose with each inhale and exhale.

Then I opened my eyes to find a male and female cardinal sitting on the edge of a garden bed with a hummingbird perched above them on a tomato cage.

I felt a bit silly.

The answer seemed so obvious now. 

Pause.

Listen.

Feel.

Focus.

That's the answer. 

Bright as day. 

And I felt peace. And awe. And Joy.

Now just I just remember to repeat as needed :)