The Electricity of Life

“Enthusiasm is the electricity of life.” ~Gordon Parks

Do you feel it? The electricity that is enthusiasm - if not in you - then around you?

Today started out pretty typical for me. The most exciting thing I have on my calendar is the opportunity to write to you.

Still, I am feeling particularly alive today, and realizing it has nothing to do with anything I control.

When I went outside to bring in the trash cans this morning, I was struck by the productive enthusiasm of my happy citrus tree. There are dozens of oranges working to ripen. It looks like a prized tree from an orange grove in Florida! I sat marveling at it for several minutes as I realized I’ve never done a single thing to promote the well-being of that tree! It lives in a tiny slope of dirt in my side yard, and it was planted by the previous owners of my home. I notice the tree only when I take out and bring in the garbage, or when I close my side gate which seems to blow open at even the slightest breeze.

Speaking of air. Our San Diego air is fresh and crisp and made my daily walk delightful.

On my walk, I made a mental note of the whereabouts and whatabouts of my kiddos. Two of them just completed their semester finals, one has Nutcracker performances coming up this weekend, one gave his first solo branding pitch to a prospective client in LA. All of them will be home for Christmas. Exciting!

Now I’m sitting in a coffee shop working on my laptop. The music is thumping, the baristas are having a blast and there is a beautiful leaf etched into the foam of my latte.

My felt enthusiasm has nothing to do with what I have planned today. It has everything to do with how present I am. I am taking the time to take in the enthusiastic world around me, and it feels great!

So, if you feel blah or tired or stuck in the mundane, look up, take stock, or take yourself out for coffee! Enthusiasm is yours to borrow if it’s not presently yours to own.

And, if enthusiasm happens to be yours to own today, remember to share it with a stranger, a friend, or a family member you love.

It’s electric. It’s magic. It’s contagious.

It comes around. It goes around. It’s ever-present if you care to let it in.

Love,

Molly