Fresh, With No Mistakes

One of the few things I miss about driving to work is seeing the dawn of a new day. This was the view going to the dentist yesterday.

There’s something hopeful and even promising about a new day. Anne of Green Gables told us that “tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it yet.”

When a morning is so nice as this you can almost believe that.

Sunrise Over A New Day

Just a pretty sunrise to remind us that we are starting a new day and a new week. It’s a clean slate of sorts.

Want to start a new habit or start working toward a goal? No need to wait for January 1.

Today will do just fine.

Subtlety

The sky was subtle but a lovely backdrop as I headed to the dentist last week. It got me to thinking about how subtlety seems to be fast becoming a lost art.

If you leave your home or connect with the outside world at all, there’s a constant stream of attempts to capture your attention, change your mind, sell you something, win your vote and take your dollar.

Have you ever noticed that commercials are louder than the tv show you’re watching? Or how frequently the same commercial plays? That’s a reflection of our misguided belief that saying it louder and more often will win over someone.

You used to just see it in advertising but now it’s coming at us in social media as well, seeping into other areas of real life and it’s exhausting.

I suppose you could call me something of a hypocrite. After all, the messages shared here are pretty consistent – there’s beauty everywhere if you wish to see it, the past is to be appreciated, there’s always something to be learned, and Amelia Earhart was right – Adventure is worthwhile in itself.

I unapologetically hit you with optimism almost every day. However, I have nothing to lose or gain from your being here and only hope to brighten your day in some way.

Remember, louder and more frequent isn’t better or more true. In fact, the truth and the good are most often found in the quiet subtleties around you. Go find them.

Sunrise

Every now and then, go find a hill to climb and watch the sun rise. Whether you do it on foot or in a car, the results are the same – you get a front row seat to the dawning of a new day.

You could say that we get one every single day and there will be another tomorrow. You could also say that we only get one a day and we need to appreciate what we have now. Your worldview will shape how you look at it but I truly hope you’ll appreciate the rarity of a sunrise.

If you’re in Ohio, the sun will rise at 7:04 a.m. today. Go find a place to watch. If you miss it, the sun will set at 7:51 p.m. and that’s almost as good!

The First Day

It’s the first day of the rest of your life. How will you spend it?

The Road To Mannasses

Sunday Mannassess and the road there (10)

On Sunday morning of this road trip adventure, the road took me south to visit the battlefield at Mannassess, Virginia and to watch in wonder the fun, acrobatic flying at a 49 year old flying circus. These are things we will talk about soon.

I headed out early, catching the end of the sunrise from the road and got to really soak in the beauty of this countryside. It was delightful how the terrain opened up to reveal this farm which looked quite small against the mountains and sky. A nearby lane offered a closer look so I turned down that road for a different view then ventured another mile or two in search of what was attached to a bell tower that I saw from afar.

This is what I found.

Sunday Mannassess and the road there (14)

It was worth the drive around the next bend.

I do that a lot, driving just a little further to see what’s around the next curve and often regret if I don’t go chasing the next bend in the road. In fact, when I think back on my road trips, the best memories are rarely the organized stuff I do – the tours and nice meals out. The best memories are always things like finding a pretty barn, a lovely sunrise or a field full of cows. It seems that a full tank of gas is really all I need for a good time.

Although, I did have a fantastic time at the flying circus so that’s where we’ll go tomorrow. Check back to hear all about it!