There's something in the air. I'm convinced there's something in the air. People are different. I took Angel for a walk in a park this afternoon. It was a gorgeous day -- the weather was sunny and about 62 degrees. We went to a park to walk the path around the pond. Usually when I take a walk in one of the parks around here, there are people out, but they often seem so within themselves. They are inside their own self-drawn circles, or they're focused on a purpose: walk/run 4 times around the trail; push the kid on the swing; take the dog out for a walk. Today was different, and I hope I can explain it articulately. Today I couldn't stop smiling because everyone I saw made me happy. First of all, it was like a mini-UN at this park. There were some Chinese children riding their bikes around the pond. One was about 4 years old and he was so filled with joy that he was smiling and laughing to himself as he pedaled past me (3 times, and he made happy noises each time). There was a group of 12 Indian men and women playing volleyball. Some Middle-Eastern boys and men were flying kites. The kites were terrific -- the colors, the strings flapping in the wind. One was shaped like a dragonfly, and its wings were shuddering, just like a real insect. A dad and his daughter (about 5 or 6) were by the pond. She was wearing a short plaid skirt with black tights. Her blond hair was in a braid. I think he was supposed to be teaching her how to use a fishing pole, but she was too involved with poking a stick into the dirt while dad was casting for fish with a pink plastic fishing rod. Some teenage girls were throwing a ball to their gorgeous labrador, and a woman was walking her little white Maltese who yappily scolded all passing dogs. Then there were kids and people of all colors in a pavilion eating food and laughing. As I made my third trip around the track, some young boys started tossing a football. The images and the noise of people and kids laughing, talking, taking pictures, interacting -- it was a joyful sight. And, I picked the perfect music in my I-pod -- Caetano Veloso. His music is so dreamy and soulful. I wanted to freeze this day with the wonderful sights and sounds and weather and, most of all, people. People who were living in the moment with such joy and lightheartedness. There's something in the air.
I cannot go to sleep in silence, so I usually have talk radio on as I drift off. Most times, the cadence of the talking head becomes the white noise I need. But sometimes I actually listen to the conversations. As much as I hope for Clark Howard, Dave Ramsey happens to be the head that's talking when I go to bed. Gradually, I became aware of his philosophies. He has many, but I'll focus on just a few: 1) Get Rid of All Debt - I really like this one. As someone who wants the points my credit card awards, or the cashback my other credit card awards, I feel like I'm always a month behind. I pay off my balance in full each month, but by then of course, I have lowered my bank account and have less to spend in the current month. I do wonder what it would feel like to pay just the bills for my current living expenses. I plan to give it a go, but I won't buy Ramsay's book or go to Financial Peace University. "Where debt is dumb, cash is king, and the paid off mortgag
Comments
Post a Comment