Seeing With New Eyes

Spring continues to bring us longer days, greener hills, wildflowers, and hope.

As I step out into the world, I’m aware of having to make decisions again.  Choices. For over a year, our decision making was circumscribed.  In a way, our lives were simpler, quieter.

As we emerge, we have the opportunity to say “yes” to people and activities, and to say “no.“  We get to see who we are now. Perhaps some attitudes, values and habits have changed.  Perhaps our social skills need a tune-up!

At the same time, we can honor some of the bedrocks that have sustained us and continue to define us.   Love, home, food, my Italian heritage, for example, are some of my bedrocks.

Simplicity, too, continues to be a motivating theme. I am rereading Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.  As I sort through books, clothes, and dishes, I hear her question of “What sparks joy?” I’m not only seeing a small pile of items ready for donating, but also I am rediscovering and enjoying some of the books and items of clothing that have been hidden for a while.

I’m also rediscovering my home state of California through close-to-home travel. Last week we had an overnight camping trip to Morro Bay, with a delicious visit to the Farmers’ Market at the nearby Baywood neighborhood of Los Osos where we bought one of the biggest artichokes I’ve seen. And as you read this, we will be on the northern California coast revisiting towns like Gualala and Mendocino that I haven’t experienced in years–California coastal treasures that I will see with new eyes.

I wonder what each of you is discovering about yourself and your world as you start to venture out again. I hope it is healthy, authentic, and joyful.

“Let choice whisper in your ear and love murmur in your heart.  Be ready.  Here comes life.”

                             Maya Angelou

P.S.  On the food front, I just fixed some “spiralized” sweet potatoes with a simple marinara sauce, and it was quite light and good. And for some fun, easy-ish dishes to “bring to the table,” I am loving, and you might too, the New York Times Sunday column called “5 Dishes to Cook This Week.” Two recipes I want to try from last Sunday’s paper are Pasta Primavera with Asparagus and Peas and Salmon in Parsley Sauce.  Happy eating, everyone!