The soul should always stand ajar …

And … if we are paying close attention … we notice that the ecstatic experiences … those moments that inspire an internal “ahhhhhh”…  come in all shapes and sizes:

• the birds flitting in and out of the birdhouse
• the steam rising off the water in a hot bath
• a text from your Bestie filled with emojis
• a great cup of coffee
• forehead kisses
• the space of stillness of the morning … pregnant with potent possibilities
• a belly laugh with your colleagues
• a phone call from your daughter … just checking in … because they were thinking of you despite their busy schedules
• a memory of a beautiful feline snuggled on your lap
• the warmth of the sunshine kissing your forehead on a chilly winter walk outside
• the smiles and support of people who really ‘know’ you when you are feeling entirely misunderstand
• the feint flicker of a candle … bringing light to the darkness
• a heartfelt connection that softens an experience and makes everything feel right with the world
• eyeglasses … to clear things up and bring things into sharper focus
• a really good, deep stretch in yoga class
• stemware filled with a nice red blend in front of a warm fire
• a book that is so good you don’t want it to end
• a heartfelt and meaningful apology
• flannel sheets in January
• inspirational quotes that find you ‘sighing’ with deepest understanding
• slippers … and … elastic waist bands
• empty space on the calendar
• glimpsing the twinkle in someone’s eye
• a grandchild’s enthusiastic greeting and warm embrace
• old photos of people you love
• polar fleece jammies
• twinkle lights
• waking up rested
• the anticipation of something really good
• warm homemade buns with the butter oozing over them
• exceptionally great service at a restaurant
• the peace in our hearts when we can see the other side of the coin
• being awakened in the night with the solution to the problem
• feeling protected
• watching a flower blossom
• homemade borscht … hot, ready and waiting in your slow cooker for when you get home from work
• a warm day with no wind
• a great golf shot
• a fabulous series on Netflix
• knowing you made a difference for someone in your day
• artistic creativity
• the ‘dusted fries’ at the Kingsmen Ale House in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
• a nice long walk in the sunshine
• a 24 Cribbage hand
• no longer being ‘lost’
• when the gravy turns out
• anything made with barnboard
• finding money in your pocket
• getting through security at the airport
• spicy appetizers on fancy skewers
• mutual understandings
• fresh picked veggies out of the garden
• a savings account with some money in it
• children who are no longer sick
• finding a decent parking spot at Costco on a Saturday in December
• being able to donate to a worthy cause
• watching your grandchildren’s extra-curricular activities
• remission from a diagnosis
• Lucy’s chocolate cake
• listening to one of your favorite songs
•  being delayed in traffic but still arriving ‘on time’
• getting a needle threaded on your first attempt
• flossing something out that was stuck between your teeth
• chocolate … in all its luscious incarnations
• purchasing something at 75% off

What stirs your soul?  Can you help me fill in the blanks?  ❤ Karen ❤