Welcome back, join me and my continuing conversation about my thoughts, feelings, and emotions to the world around me.
In this episode, I discuss being happy. It is a simple concept, but sometimes hard to execute. Listen to my story and strategy of trying to inject as much happiness into my day as I can. Plus I talk about how age is only a number when your inside is forever young. And, as always, I throw in a quote and a poem for good measure.
Enjoy!!
A mild winter’s night walk makes me grateful for my lungs. – Ash
Once upon a time,
there was an angry little elf.
Who thought of absolutely no one,
but of only himself.
He’s always so mad,
which made the other elves very sad,
with his complaints that work, work, work,
was all they ever had.
Ah, Christmas spirits. Not those three ghosts that visit if you forget the true meaning of Christmas. No, these spirits are the alcoholic drinks we share with friends, family, and strangers during the celebrations of the holiday season. This is time of year that brings annual opportunities to take part in a festive spirit or two, or three, or maybe four, or…
By the way, I use the word spirits loosely to encompass all things drinky-drinky during December Yuletide. That also includes non-alcoholic spirits. Because you don’t need alcohol to enjoy the “spirit” of the moment. Good times being had at restaurants, pubs, bars, house parties, office parties, all over the place. Immersed in awesome atmospheres wrapped full of special cheer and merry wishes. Who’s round is it?
Ah, December the 1st. There are so many words to describe the beginning of our twelfth month on the calendar, and they all mean Christmas. The very second it changes from November to December is the same very second your veins fill with magic. Magic that lasts a whole twenty-five days and then some. Then…on the twenty-fifth day, we get more. Magic that can reach far and wide, high and low, and around every corner. Creating the perfect buildup to the arrival of Santa. The keeper of Christmas and all of its magic.
So far, I have purchased a gift, listened to festive music, peeked into storefronts, adored some lights, spotted reindeer, drank hot chocolate, walked in the snow, made a wish, donated to charity, ate a cookie, wanted to go sliding, had a sippy-sippy, watched a Christmas movie, and thought many many times of my own memories of being a kid during this wonderful time of year. And it’s only December the 1st. Go get some of that magic, my friends. You deserve it, and while you are at it, pass some of it on. Because, no matter where you are now, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Happy Holidays!!!!
Until…
Ah…the office Secret Santa. An annual festive get-together with your fellow coworkers. The people you spend a big portion of your daily life with. A second family, some would say. It’s a chance to enjoy a holiday break with that family, away from the weekly grind, and to take part in a little giving and receiving. I’ve been a part of a bunch of Secret Santas in my day. Most if not all of my former places of employment have practised the tradition and it’s no different at my current job. My law firm partakes as well. Each time, a fun experience. This year’s Secret Santa email dropped in my inbox last week. I picked my person to buy for yesterday. It was my first sign of Santa’s coming.
smell of evergreen
in a November forest
can take you back home
I realized on a walk today that if you stare at fallen leaves long enough they come alive again. – Ash
When you exploit all the good things life gives you, it doesn’t leave mushroom for the bad things. – Ash
night comes earlier
snot runs down my nose as quick
streetlights guide me home
Earth To Ash 