Charge Me Up

My day job recommences at 6:30 AM tomorrow. I'll return with a mixture of hope and trepidation. Along with the inherent rewards of my profession, my daily work brings with it a lot of stress and anxiety. I expect that this year will be a wild ride, filled with work and change, growth and loss.

My main goal this year is to keep working toward a healthier balance. Work, with play. Self-improvement, with self-love. Dreams, with action. I don't want to feel like I'm fighting and pushing all the time. I'd be happy with a nice, healthy strive.

Today I took some time to breathe, be kind to myself, and charge up for the months ahead.

I said nice things to myself. (You should try it, too.)

I took my weekly walk to the Hyde Park Farmers' Market, where I bought heirloom tomatoes and apples (my first of the season!).

I also bought two great big cookies from Donna's Gourmet (to be shared with friends), and this beautiful and delicious cappuccino from La Terza.

On my way home, I stopped to sit in the square.

I listened to a woman play the piano.

















She played with her eyes closed, swaying to the music. At one point, after a flamboyant run, she threw back her head, smiled, and then bubbled over with laughter.

I asked her how long she'd been playing. She said, "Since I was nine." Did she play professionally? Another laugh, "Sometimes." Ah, maybe she has a day job, too.

Is that the key to happiness and balance? Finding the thing that makes you throw your head back and laugh, and running with it?