What always surprises me about affirmations is they actually happen.
Back Story: There's a childhood memory I often look back on... My father made me come and help him chop wood in the dead of winter. I remember I was about 12 years-old and it was Thanksgiving. (Back in the day when it used to actually snow on Thanksgiving in NE Ohio. Now it snows like that around Valentines Day. Climate change anyone?) My fingers were freezing and I was cold down to my bones while he instructed how to use the ax. My complaints (having something to do with my desire to be inside even if meant helping out with cooking) quickly rose over his instructions. Without blinking an eye, he gave me a tender smile to show that he was also cold and said in a calm voice, "Mind over matter Kates." He went on to use examples of some of his experiences in the Army. Shortly after convincing myself I was not cold, the shivering stopped and I actually helped chop wood. Enjoyed it, in fact. I had affirmed that I was happy and warm.
Present Day: Everyone was relaxed the whole day at work and we actually finished picking for the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) customers early. My morning started with my boss and I picking salad greens. As we moved down the row, we chatted (as we always do) on the unjust and just ways of the world. It's wonderful. These conversations always lead to ideas on how to change the world as well. After that process I started to pick raspberries and chat with the bumblebees that were flying all around me, spreading sweetness to our lives. Even as Fall comes and they get cold and confused I have not been stung once. Then again, as I reach all around them to pick the ripe raspberries next to the buds I thank the bees for their hard work. (If you read past posts, you will see this 'talking to bumblebees' is no new phenomenon for me. I love them. The end.)
Then, that was it. The day was over. There was much more picking, but I am always put on the detail-orientated tasks. My boss thinks I am delicate and she's convinced I'm the fastest picker when taking on the delicate tasks. It makes perfect sense to her... I don't question. So by the time I was done, everyone else finished shortly after.
With these extra hours, I decided to enjoy the beauty of the Fall foliage that surrounded me. I walked around the property, snapped some shots, took in the scenery, and left for home in a joyous mood. Wanting to keep a good thing going, I took the back way home. The country roads were splashed with yellow, red, orange, and green with the bluest of blue skies behind every color. I was blissing out! Utter bliss, joy, and appreciation for the colors of a NE Ohio Fall. Just then, I realized this is what I returned from New Zealand for: This place. I had fallen back in love with my homeland. While taking in these new found emotions and smiling down the road, I had a cop pull me over. True story. I was going 35 mph in a school zone (20 mph). Speeding in a school zone is a major offense. To add to the equation, I was in a town notorious for their bored, mean police. He was definitely mean when he approached the window. He asked for the papers and license, then walked back to the cruiser. Moments later he returned with a smile and said, "Just take this as a warning and slow down. Have a good day!" I couldn't believe it. No written warning, nothing, just, "Have a good day!" Completely flustered and utterly confused, I drove away. My love for NE Ohio was crushed for a moment and then grew double it's original size.
Listen, I know I will leave this amazing place again and see more of the world. But, the wonderful day today made me realize that I will always come back. My heart is in the heartland of Ohio!
The unbeatable beauty of a NE Ohio Fall:
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