Crappy Mood ---> Head Outdoors

Some days are just crappy days. I do my best to keep gratitude in the forefront of my mind, but stress creeps in. Little things become big things. My mind magnifies the minute to the point that the positive is pushed out. Instead of opting for "cranky pants" I put on a full suit. And then I go outside.

And then the armor of anger sheds more easily. It seems to melt off. I notice the small beauty within the expansive space.

I am able to feel more clearly. Something about being outdoors helps me to see myself, situations, emotions, others through a different filter -- or perhaps without one at all. 

Too often I feel like we only share "the best" -- we post what we want people to see. We construct our image and identity through our selfies and status messages, but leave out the hard times. I get it. Who wants to broadcast when things suck? But, sometimes they do. Sometimes for legit reasons. Sometimes because you've been looking at Facebook for too long and it's pretty easy to put on cranky pants.

And then I think it's good to get outside.

Walk and Talk

Went on a great walk this morning with my friend, Aniesa. Between the busyness that is life, we found some time to catch up, see some fall foliage, and grab some coffee. We walked around the neighborhood before picking up some pumpkin lattes. (I'm more of a plain latte kind of girl, but this just seemed so fitting -- and we both love a theme.) Then, we went along a nearby trail where Aniesa held my coffee so I could snap some fall pictures and we talked about life. I'm so grateful for this friendship -- Aniesa and I met in high school and kept in touch as we both traveled the world during and after college. (Thank goodness that the Internet was created before we began globetrotting! Granted, you had to pay by the minute in seedy "Internet Cafes", but at least email existed.)

And, while I know that their time in the States was just supposed to be a stopover on the way to more exotic places, I'm so glad I've had this time with them the past couple of years! Wherever they are headed next, whenever that may be, they should plan on having some house guests . . .