The Quiet Times

Life is all about the quiet times. The times between parties, dinner dates, vacations, and other exciting stuff. It is easy to have fun and be happy at, say, Disney World or on a beach in Aruba. It is not as easy to be happy sitting on your couch on an average Tuesday evening when there is nothing on but American Idol featuring Mariah Carey (are you kidding me????).

But that was where I found myself last night. After a good run and some dinner, I settled onto the couch (with the cats snuggled next to me) for my quiet time. In the last several months I have done a lot of things to avoid this time. I've overbooked myself to the point of not knowing where or who I was marking time with. I've drank my evenings away. I've eaten everything that would not eat me first. I've done all that I could to avoid the quiet times.

But last night (and several nights recently) it was just me, the cats and the tick tock of the clock. This is where life happens. This is the place where you need to feel content - when nothing is going on.

So, I settled in, with Mariah and the Idols in the background, surveyed my surroundings and was... wait for it... perfectly content. I picked up my cross stitch and cross stitched the evening away - every tiny little x adding to the picture.

At bedtime, I sighed and realized I was still perfectly content. I climbed in bed - smack in the middle - turned off the tv and drifted directly to sleep.

This morning I woke up pleased. Pleased that even in the quiet times I am happy and content with my life.

Take care, dear readers.