good question

“Instructions for living a life.
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.”
― Mary Oliver

Possible answers to what makes me come alive: the origins of gratitude

In no particular order:

smelling citrus
reading poetry
apple orchards
libraries
baby laughter
real bread
kids telling jokes (planned and accidental)
sitting in the sunshine after AC freeze

little girls walking belly-forward
rainy evenings at home, and going to sleep when its raining outside
drinking morning coffee with loved ones, the smell, the way it feels like a warm hug
the day after Thanksgiving or on vacation
kids starting sentences with, “When I was little…'

growing flowers and seeing their beauty from start to finish
picking veggies and fruit – seeing the work come to fruition
road trips to National and StateParks where you’re not on a schedule
a great sandwich with delicious bread
brilliant finds at flea markets and garage sales, aka treasure hunting
Magic Hour and lightning bugs
first day of fall – crisp enough for scarves – doors open

learning how to play an instrument (forever and ever a struggle)
pushing my body to it’s limit and then past it to find new limits I didn’t think I was capable of creating
sunshine flooding a wooden living room floor
a good pen
going through old books and reliving the joy of words
children literature

coming back to favorite bookstores in various cities
afternoon naps
the cool calm of art museums
chunky baby thighs and cheeks
the feeling of exhaustion and accomplishment after a good workout or cleaning the house
perfectly blue skies
a good cry because of music
a good memoir
listening to the kids play together
clean laundry fresh out of the dryer
going to bed early and sleeping through the night
unusual words and etymology

sitting on the porch on summer nights
photographing
a country ride on a beautiful day
the color of the first willow buds signaling spring amongst so much brown and grey
having a kid fall asleep on me
wearing a perfectly comfortable outfit
ripe peaches
comedy that makes me cackle
perusing a perfectly curated local shop
shoes that require no breaking in
extra, super sharp cheddar cheese
watching toddlers react to music

books you stay up late reading
rounds of rummi with family complete with inside family jokes
the first 12 hours in a new city
cold ocean water
when you can’t tell a joke because you’re laughing too much
a good chocolate cookie
weekend days with no plans
plants and a lush nursery
a good blanket, hot tea, and a fire in the winter
reconnecting with a long-time friend
real bakery aromas


inspired by this post {here}
image via this artist, {Heath Nash}