Adventure awaits as long as you are willing to find it

Today I realized I needed to spend some time outside as recently I've been cooped up indoors far longer then my heart can stand. I decided I was going to walk to the farmer's market with my friend Teagan. It was a beautiful day as we walked outside embracing the sunshine and all the gifts that nature had to offer. As we turned the corner our eyes met a bunch of pinatas hanging in trees at the park just outside my back door. Our ears tuned into the Latino music that was blasting around us and the people enjoying tacos, fajitas, and some delicious looking nachos. The Latino art and film festival was taking place right outside my cottage, offering the perfect opportunity to take every opportunity that life has to give. We listened to the music and all the while I was choreographing a tango dance in my head waiting for the chance to try it out. We stayed for awhile and then journeyed to the farmers market, taking in all of the bright colors that the freshly grown fruits and vegetables were giving off. I managed to buy myself a hot dog, which for some reason I have been craving for the past two weeks. Teagan and I sat down on a bench enjoying the day along with each other's company and decided to walk back a different way then we came. We popped into one of my favorite shops called the bridge, known for selling items that come from around the world and giving the profit back to the country that it came from. As I browsed through the shelves desperately desiring a bracelet with the South African flag on it I gave up and noticed the open back door in the rear of the shop. Teagan and I had never walked out of the shop that way before and this time we decided, well why not? So we walked out the back door and stumbled upon this adorable store that only a small town would have to offer. Advertising gelatos, icees, and a very random assortment of food, the owners of the store gave us the warmest welcome possible and let us try every free sample in the store (awesome right?!). I ended up purchasing a coconut, chocolate, almond gelato and it was well worth the tiny amount I paid. After walking back I was ready for another nap and happily drifted off to sleep.

Oh The Cleverness of a Child

Recently I've come down with an unexpected cold. One would think if you are eating healthy, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of sleep, a head cold wouldn't come upon you, but hey life likes to throw unexpected curves in the road sometimes. The past two days eating healthy went out the window as chocolate and hot dogs (I have no idea why) became my go to food and exercise with a runny nose and fever just sounded miserable. I prescribed bed rest with an additional dose of the Chronicles of Narnia as my medicine for the weekend.
Even though there was a birthday party occurring in my basement I was perfectly content falling asleep to my roommates reading of a wrinkle in time and the sweet dreams that came next. Something I've realized about myself is when I am sick I love to watch children's movies and love to be taken care of. I am always reminded of my much younger self when I get sick and for that very reason, I am thankful that I became ill, for that realization alone. I have come across many people who after having gotten to know me always like to remind me not to get caught up in the sadness and danger in the world and to never lose the joy I can find in everyday life, and in people all around me. I realize that my joy is many times found when spending time with children, or reading children's books or watching children's movies because children see the world much more clearly then adults do sometimes. Many children are able to look past the sad and bad things of this world, to not be caught up in the negative but to focus on the here and now, the meaning of life, where happiness is found. When people tell me not to lose my joy, I tell people I will always try to keep the childlike version of myself alive, for all those who need to be reminded of the true meaning of life. In case I am not around though, there are plenty of children around the world, spend some time with them and you may learn things that you have forgotten.