The cold temperatures are still with us. It’s -31℃. The sun is a weak yellow halo in a pale grey blue sky. I don’t really mind. I feel more alert, focused and at ease. The early mornings are still dark. It is restful to sit with just my cup of tea, not thinking and scrolling. After I’ve finished, I realize that what I felt was pleasure. It made me smile. It gave me joy and I made a second cup of tea.
I’m sitting not so pretty this morning. My hair is yet not combed but I am dressed and tapping rhythmically on the trusty keyboard. I’m not sitting so pretty but I am sitting content and at peace. That is what still matters at this stage in my life. Life hasn’t been exactly a bowl of cherries, especially the last couple of years. It’s been a roller coaster ride, full of ups and downs. When I think of it now, it’s been rather exciting and jarring. So I think excitement still matters, no matter what age we’re at. I need jarring out of my complacency.
Life is strange. I didn’t really think that I would be here talking like this. But here I am. So how am I talking anyways? A bunch of nonsense probably. But it’s good to flex my fingers and make them move on the keyboard. The exercise is waking up my senses, increasing my serotonin and making those dendrites snap more effeciently. I hope they are also working on and improving my ear hair cells. Hope and strange happenings still matter. Surprises still matter. Everything still matters.
onethousandandtwo 
You have such a gift for words. I am sure that I would not be able to get seratonin and dendrites in the same sentence without frantically searching for a way to spell both of them.
Oh, I am being so silly. I love your blog post. You set a scene, and I could see you there, with your second cup of tea, thinking about life, which is a roller coaster. Life is so much a roller coaster. If only it could be a gentler ride…
Content and at peace is definitely a good thing. And hope and potential surprises give you something to look forward to.
Lily, you have expanded as a writer. You have become deeper and more layered. You could build a book out of posts like this, with a meditative quote at the top or bottom of each page. Brilliant you!
You and I seem so much alike in some things Lily, I too can set at the keyboard, uncombed hair and not a clue what I’m going to write about. But we both get it done! Keep warm!
Good thing nobody sees the PJs, fluffy socks, or bad hair — and quite frankly, none of it matters. Those quiet moments, the second cup of tea, feeling content and awake at the same time… that’s real life, and it counts. YOU count!