After a quick five minute ride to the park our eco-friendly Honda SUV, N and I walked our bikes over to a path that led to a small pond. N and I cycled around the trout filled pond passing walkers, runners, and young lovers kissing on the benches. There were families playing sports and grilling in the grass by the picnic tables. Children were laughing loudly in the playground. Grown men were shouting on the basketball court. Around and around the pond we went, gliding ever so peacefully on our bikes. It was the first time we had ridden our bikes together, and I was having a such a great time. "Again Mommy," N exclaimed, and I answered, "Here we go!"
Men were smiling, and women were glaring. I'm sure I was a sight to see as I pedaled my powder blue cruiser bike (that my sister "re-gifted" to me last year) in my short dark blue and white dress on a hot spring day with my daughter in tow on her pink princess bike with training wheels. All I could think about was all the fun I was having spending time with N enjoying the fresh air and communing with nature. It was like I was experiencing the scenery through everyone's eyes - fully aware of my surroundings, and so very grateful for each and every moment on my beautiful powder blue bike, in that park, with me watching N's smiling little face as she pedaled her bike too.
Later that night after I put N to bed, I happened to pass by a full length mirror. I was admiring my body when I noticed a bright red and white tag sticking out of the criss cross fabric in the back of my very cute blue and white dress. In my enthusiasm to wear my dress, I overlooked the tag - but it didn't matter to me or anyone else who saw me that day. I thought with a smile, "Oh well, now everyone knows that I'm a "fashionista." Yes I paid $20 for my dress, and it fit me perfectly. I loved the way that dress clung to my body as I walked, it hung to my curves like Mario Andretti on the Daytona 500 Speedway in 1980. Actually fashion, family, and frugality is the basis for the upstart of my online clothing consignment store, www.EpikosConsignmentBoutique.com - Why pay full price for designer clothes? I love the fact that I can clothe my family stylishly within budget, without sacrificing looking and feeling fabulous. I know when I look good, I feel good - so making an effort to find that spiffy blue and white dress with the criss cross back was well worth every penny saved :)
I didn't replay the day over in my head without the tag, because it was perfect just the way it happened - and my husband told me as much when he saw me in the dress too. Perfection!
It may have taken me 40something years to acquire this knowledge, but living a life filled with happiness and joy is a mindful choice. No one can give it to you. It doesn't matter who you are, the nature of your life circumstances, your current marital status, your income potential or level, your height or weight, your career choices, the make of your car, the number of rooms in your home, the size of your family and friend circles, the number of mistakes you're made in the past - a life filled with happiness and joy is possible every single day that you are alive and breathing. All it takes is a little practice....
