July 20 Daily Entry -- Happy to Be Here

Today in the way to the park I saw a corgi, and remarked to myself that the best thing about corgis is that they always have this same stupid happy expression on their face. You never see a corgi looking sneaky. They're never thinking too hard. They're all just happy to be here, and we love them for that.

In the park I sat down by two young men, smoking a big blunt and sharing a 6-pack if Dunkin' Donuts. Different people might judge different aspects of the scene: the blunt at 9 AM, the box of unhealthy breakfast food, or the fact that they were sitting in the park on a workday, unhurried, seemingly without a care in the world.

But I appreciate their mindfulness and enjoyment of life. They were not stressed about the future but were fully living in the moment. They seemed content sharing each other's company while indulging in simple pleasures. They weren't checking their phones or taking pictures or engaged in any other frantic business.

I don't know if either of their mornings had a "greater" or productive purpose, but such purpose isn't necessary to justify the time they spent wisely this morning. What a beautiful purpose -- to spend time being present in the park with a friend.

Why do things always seem so hard for me? Perhaps because I have such a rigid concept of what success is. I expect everything to have a purpose, and to achieve it. It is never ever about the time spent, the experience, or the story. Every hour of my life is intended FOR something, and I must labor for it to be Enough. Even sleeping is done for health and can be done poorly.

Stop having expectations. Just let moments be what they are. Even if they have bugs or trash or mistakes, accept that moment as it is.