Serenity Equals Dirty Hands

The gentle morning sun backlights the misty fields. Birds, already awake for hours, greet me as I revel in the newness of the day. Unhibited by social awkwardness, I kneel in the mud to harvest the lettuce still wet from last night's dew.

I've traveled the country in an attempt to quell my restless spirit, hoping that the more I saw and the more I experienced and the more people I met would eventually fill the vagabond's void in my heart. I've road tripped across the country alone and enjoyed the exhileration of solitary traveling. I've swam in the Atlantic and Pacific and ridden a Harley all night through the rugged mountains of southern California.

And yet . . . I've found peace in the dirt. Surrounded by fields and trees and nature in its beauty and anger gives me a sense of purpose and belonging. Dirt under my fingernails fills me with a sense of accomplishment.

I searched for thousands of miles to find what was literally right underneath me all along. Wouldn't trade my experiences for the world, to be sure, but I've learned that our hearts know what our life's work should be, if we just quiet ourselves long enough to listen. However, listening is only the first step . . . you have to believe what your heart tells you.

God bless dirt.

Photo: the mechanical turk

The Creative Dating Dynamic

I'm going out with this gal. Have you met her? Her name is Creativity, and boy is she one of a kind -- sassy, flirty, spunky. The take-me-out-to-dinner-and-I-might-let-you-kiss-me-good night type that you want to show off to your parents if you weren't so afraid she might blurt out something completely off the wall. She flaunts like she knows she's the best you'll ever get, and of course she's right.

Tingle To Your Toes

Ah, the exhilerating rush of that first date. You'd done everything you could to impress: wore your best shirt, spritzed that smell-goody stff in the right place, maybe even showed up with a bouquet you grabbed at the grocery store on the way over.

And the night goes great, of course. You hit it off and she gave you a little something-something to remember her by. Like you would forget!

But Then . . .

Because you're feeling so great from the initial get-together, you forget to call for a couple days. You take her for granted -- no big deal, right? She's hurt when you finally do call, but you still have a pretty good time together. Although she gives you a little kiss you have to admit that it was lacking some of the pizazz it had before.

Why is she so sensitive? What does she expect, roses from a balcony and love songs every night? Sheesh.

Long-Term Affair

You make it through those first rocky months, finally waking up to the fact that you have to give her what she wants or she'll play the hide and seek game just when you need her to come out. Like any relationship, this one takes work or else she . . . ever elusive, Creativity . . . will slip right through your fingers.

Be, Uh, Creative

Come on, you can do better than dinner and a movie. You gotta change things up to keep any flame alive! My Creativity loves bright colors and shiny things (hello, Christmas!). What does yours like? Have you taken the time to find out? Anybody that's ever been in a relationship knos that there's a lil' bit of foreplay involved before the big show.

Cool It, You're Not Married or Anything

One thing you gotta realize if you're having an affair with Creativity: You're not exchanging vows and sharing a sock drawer for crying out loud. Sooo . . . get a life. Don't spend every waking hour coaxing her to tell you all her delicious secrets. Do your thing, take her out once in a while, and she'll give you a call when she's ready. ;-)

Photo credit: Kjunstorm