The Big Three: Vibing

The world can be a crazy place. Sometimes it helps to step back and list a few of the things you’re grateful for. I’m making it a habit each week to list three blessings. Here’s what I’m grateful for this week, April 27 – May 3.

What I’m grateful for:

—Early mornings. We have an early morning airport pick up this morning. To get there we need to leave before the roosters even think about getting up in the morning. I’m grateful for the pitch black night, the rising sun, and the possibilities of a new day.

—Airports. Speaking of airports, I love them. Everyone complains about how hectic and crazy they can be. They complain about the Transportation Security Administration pre-check. Meanwhile, there’s me. It doesn’t matter if I’m squished like a sardine into my seat or just picking someone up in the recent arrivals lane, I’m like a little kid on Christmas morning. Yes, I probably need my head examined. I get excited walking into the building. I love the thrill of flying to some new place and the hugs and kisses of greeting loved ones just off the plane.

—Kindred spirits. Sometimes it’s great just knowing that others feel the same way as you. English actor, comedian and writer Brett Goldstein, known for his role as Roy Kent in Ted Lasso, talked recently about his experience working with on Sesame Street.

“I say this without irony, this is not a joke. I mean this with every bone in my body. It was the best day of my life.”

I’m grateful to say that I have similar feelings as Goldstein. Sesame Street is the best. I grew up on Sesame Street and love that it’s the one place that kids can go and parents don’t have to worry about what they’re going to be watching.

(After I wrote this note, I saw that President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday that seeks to cut public funding for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service. Of course, PBS runs Sesame Street and other children’s shows. Ugh.)

What gave me a smile?

There have been moments in recent months where I feel like the time has come to give up my cellphone and social media. I don’t need the frustration and anger that comes out of the little box. And then I find something like the video below and my faith and love for people is reborn.

Check this out.

Last fall, I found this video of University of Texas Swimmer Kelly Pash getting ready for the start of her race by dancing to Justin Bieber’s song Baby. Pash starts out dancing by herself and singing to the song. It’s just her getting into the song. And then she turns and sees the DJ vibing along with her. She puts her hands in the air and gets even more into the song.

I have no idea why it touches me. Perhaps, the huge smile on Pash’s face? Outside of the Summer Olympics, I don’t watch much swimming. And, I’m not much of a Justin Bieber fan. I don’t recall the song when it first came out in 2010. But, every time the video comes across my feed, I feel better inside.

I could watch the video for hours on a continuous loop. It makes me incredibly happy. It reminds me that life can be hard and even challenging, but laughing and finding your groove makes things better.

You go Kelly.

All images by Pexels.