What has contributed to my happiness in the past 24 hours?
(Not an exhaustive list.)
* Seeing my favourite homeless guys downtown today and buying them coffee and cookies.
-- These guys are amazing. I've been trying to find the photo the local paper ran of them, all decked out in holiday red and green felt hats, surrounded by other decorations hung on the tree behind them or their shopping carts. There was a caption quoting one, "We think everyone should be able to decorate their home, even if it's a shopping cart!" I only met these guys recently (then again, I only got here recently!) but they already know me on sight. They're so cheery, so friendly, and so generous. Today when I saw them two were there at the usual spot, so we chatted and then I left to buy the coffee and cookies. After I came back, a third came over with candy canes to hand out that he'd bought. He probably spent at least ten percent of his day's income on a box of candy to give to passerby. Maybe more, who knows -- I never see them ask for money, just songs (they love carols) or smiles. What an amazing attitude! I don't even really like the holidays at all (full disclosure: hate 'em), but I'm always ready for a sing-a-long with this group.
* Getting so totally inspired by two women in wheelchairs who came to the restaurant today.
-- What was so amazing wasn't that they were out "doing stuff" -- I have no doubt that people confined to all sorts of lifestyles and mobilities live lives similar to mine -- but that they were so frank, honest, and casual about when they needed help. One in particular, she couldn't move her right arm, needed more help getting settled, wore a "clothing protector" not a bib, her words! Nothing was a big deal; she just asked and I just helped. No embarrassment, no shyness, no apologies, just her living her life. Most people, myself included, are ashamed when they need help. Asking is embarrassing. These women proved that it doesn't have to be, that life is SO much more harmonious and easy-going when you just throw awkwardness out the window!
* My new ukulele!
(Not an exhaustive list.)
* Seeing my favourite homeless guys downtown today and buying them coffee and cookies.
-- These guys are amazing. I've been trying to find the photo the local paper ran of them, all decked out in holiday red and green felt hats, surrounded by other decorations hung on the tree behind them or their shopping carts. There was a caption quoting one, "We think everyone should be able to decorate their home, even if it's a shopping cart!" I only met these guys recently (then again, I only got here recently!) but they already know me on sight. They're so cheery, so friendly, and so generous. Today when I saw them two were there at the usual spot, so we chatted and then I left to buy the coffee and cookies. After I came back, a third came over with candy canes to hand out that he'd bought. He probably spent at least ten percent of his day's income on a box of candy to give to passerby. Maybe more, who knows -- I never see them ask for money, just songs (they love carols) or smiles. What an amazing attitude! I don't even really like the holidays at all (full disclosure: hate 'em), but I'm always ready for a sing-a-long with this group.
* Getting so totally inspired by two women in wheelchairs who came to the restaurant today.
-- What was so amazing wasn't that they were out "doing stuff" -- I have no doubt that people confined to all sorts of lifestyles and mobilities live lives similar to mine -- but that they were so frank, honest, and casual about when they needed help. One in particular, she couldn't move her right arm, needed more help getting settled, wore a "clothing protector" not a bib, her words! Nothing was a big deal; she just asked and I just helped. No embarrassment, no shyness, no apologies, just her living her life. Most people, myself included, are ashamed when they need help. Asking is embarrassing. These women proved that it doesn't have to be, that life is SO much more harmonious and easy-going when you just throw awkwardness out the window!
* My new ukulele!
Friskey let me play her lovely uke and taught me a few chords (um, long since forgotten, but I totally had fun and appreciated it at the time!) back in Palo Alto in the summer and ever since then I've held it in the back of my mind to get me my own not-just-a-mini-guitar. Yesterday, after nearly two hours of wandering around town looking for "that place I passed by once with all the ukeleles in the window" I found my new baby, who is currently nameless. So far all I sense is the letter L. My guitar (sigh, still in Montreal) is Esmerelda and my Mac is Cleopatra (II), if that helps you come up with suggestions?
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As for your Uke... what about Donatella? (I'm thinking the old Italian artist turned female, not the modern fashion designer who is female)