Happiness Through Turning Inward

The outward work will never be puny if the the inward work is great.               ~ Meister Eckhart

Original post date – October 7, 2019

So it was a busy weekend.  I did some writing Friday night and stayed up late and decided that I’d sleep in late on Saturday morning, the planet had other ideas in the form of a 3.5 earthquake at 8AM.  It wasn’t big or long, but short and violent and shook me awake from a deep sleep and left me disoriented for a minute.  It moved a few of my paintings and leaned over a water bottle, just life when you literally live on top of the San Andreas fault but it was my first earthquake since moving here.

So, I got up and hit the farmers markets, I was in the mood for good tomatoes and happily landed some really beautiful Black Krims, so I’ve been satiating my tomato urges for a couple of days.  I’ve been working on my blood sugar which has gotten a bit out of control, so for the last two weeks I’ve been eating very few carbs.  This means I also skipped my normal weekly cheat meal, which is where I allow myself my weekly Coca-cola.  As a bit of a reward for going two weeks without a cheat meal I headed into the Mission District to get a couple of good slices of pizza and a coke.  I’m a little embarrassed to tell you how unbelievably satisfying that coke was, yes, I have a problem.  🙂  But it is important to reward yourself for good behavior.

I also checked out a pirate supply store and a science fiction book shop I’ve been wanting to check out.  For me I know I’m in the right bookstore when the staff recommendations are heavy on Christopher Moore, Douglas Adams and Neil Gaiman.  I picked up Gaiman’s short-story collection Fragile Thinks, I have some flights coming up soon and can’t wait to dive into it.  On BART on the way back home, I met a couple of Belgian women who’ve been touring America and were heading for the airport.  It was great to run into some fellow travelers and listen to some stories.

Finally on Saturday night one of our student programs from the college was putting on an event.  The students took over  a coffee shop, posted their art and did some performances.  Students did everything from spoken word, to rap, to musical pieces on guitar.  I had the opportunity to chat with a few of the students about their art pieces, it was a lovely night.

A bit of a crazy reflection shot

Today I headed up to Point Reyes and did a small hike and attended a little gathering for a friend,s birthday.  A lot of driving and a very full day.

I don’t like my weekends to be too hectic, I’m someone who absolutely needs to have some quiet and downtime on my weekends.  I think it’s important for all of us to find ways to turn inward, recharge our batteries and build our happiness.  So I decided to do a little photography tonight.  Last night, heading to the student event I realized with our recent clear skies, the site of our new building on campus should over some good sunset photo opportunities, especially tonight as the clouds started to come in.  Photography is something I get lost in, something that calms me and makes me happy so I spent about an hour shooting the sunset.

I also got a bit of a bonus on the happiness front today.  I sent cards and a little cash to my littlest nephews for being good big brothers.  They have recently welcomed a little sister into their lives and have been doing a good job of dealing with the adjustment.  Well they sent me a picture today of what they had done with their money, they pooled it together and it was a picture of them holding a pizza box, they’re definitely my nephews.

sunset selfie reflection

It’s important to find time my friends.  First to satisfy those lower levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, sleep, food and security and then to work up that pyramid to the things that bring us happiness.  Take some time my friends and you’ll have happier days. ~ Rev Kane