jillsalahub

1. Sweet friends, who bring me special treats, listen to me, try to help, make me laugh.

2. My morning practice, writing and meditation, yoga or a long walk.

3. Spring in Colorado, cherry blossoms and bird song and a bit of snow and everything turning so green.

4. My tiny family, the comfort and joy of home, love and laughter.

5. Kale salad, taking the time to chop all the ingredients and put it all together, to nourish myself.

Bonus joy: the Open Heart Project, books, working with good people, space, a washer and dryer right in my house, clean sheets, laughter, knowing I did what I could, Christmas cacti that won’t stop blooming, good people doing good work.

April Love prompt, “yellow.” This is one of my favorite pictures, not so much because of how it looks but what it represents. It’s the beach access that is closest to my aunt’s house on the Oregon Coast. We were there visiting her a few summers ago, and when we got to the access, these bikes were there — beach bikes covered in rust, ridden to the access point and abandoned. The people would eventually come back for them, ride them back to wherever they were staying after a long day on the sand and in the water. It’s a place, a lifestyle that I love so much.

April Moon prompt: “This is the best part of my day.” Morning, when I sit down with my journal and pen. First, I watch a short dharma talk and meditation from either the Daily Dharma Gathering or the Open Heart Project, then I freewrite. I have a whole hour to myself while Eric keeps an eye on Ringo, who still needs an eye kept on him but not as much as before, and Sam sleeps. I make myself half a cup of coffee, grab my phone, my journal and my pen, turn on my HappyLight, and sit at my writing desk, allowing whatever might arise. This is what I do every morning, no matter what. It’s the best part of my day.