I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read and all the friends I want to see. John Burroughs

Elbow to elbow pushing through the hordes of people in the market, I find a seat to rest and savor one of my favorite finds, a Moroccan pancake filled with ricotta cheese, olives, picked onions and sun dried tomatoes all drizzled in a succulent honey. I discovered this massive open air market that attracts all walks of life not by chance but through a friend who one morning after yoga said, let’s hurry if we get there before it closes we might get a pancake, just might. I know all too well now after past disappointment that one must arrive extra early on a Sunday morning to stand in the queue as everyone has the same intention. These pancakes are filled to the brim with so many of my favorite things.

Today, I meander slowly through the market, taking my time, dodging trolleys and elbows; you must be aggressive to make head way through the crowd. The sun is shining, which is a rarity; I soak in its rays of golden light and just take in all the beauty around me. I walk with my eyes open, but I am deep in thought. I am reflecting on the masterpiece of life, its splendor. The simplest act of going to the market brings me so much joy, buying flowers for my flat, getting fresh produce that will later become a vibrant meal to share with friends. There is just so much activity to embrace.

It isn’t a secret, but I live by my agenda book. I am old school I guess, as I should use modern technology to organize my life, an IPhone or smart phone would make quick business of my daily tasks, but I rather pencil in my engagements. Even so, I find I go from one event to the next, complacently, driven at times, but often blind to the world around me. Today is different; there is energy in the air. Winter has subsided, as the days are getting longer and the temperatures rise, spring is steadily making an appearance, change is in on its way. This is an opportune time for self-reflection.

I look back at the past year and identify all the wonderful blessing that have been bestowed upon me; how lucky I am to live the life I live. I take into consideration who I have become is a very different person from the individual I was in days gone by. I live in a community where I want to become better, to reach higher, to achieve more. I am pushed not only by my own motivation, but by the energy, the ideas of others close to me. I aspire to be better than yesterday. I close my eyes and look to the sky and I am thankful for whom I have become, and who I am becoming.

Life is about change, if we were meant to stay idle and static we would have concrete bricks tied to our ankles. I relish change; I guess that is what makes me dangerous, I thrive on it. It is adrenaline and fear, excitement and tears, never knowing what will be written on the next page. I am the creator of my life. I have walked the walk, fallen and picked myself up again to get to today. I am responsible for how I view things, how I treat others, and what dreams I seek to explore. Walking through the market makes me aware of the beauty in all things, that life is not just one shade of grey, and to see life in this way would be a terrible folly. Finding joy and happiness in the everyday is like staring up in awe at the vibrant golden ribbons of light as the sun sets over the horizon.

“You live longer once you realize that any time spent being unhappy is wasted.” Ruth E. Renkl