I would like to ask a favor. Before you read on, please use the link here and listen to one to two minutes of the music attached.  I will wait.

Are you back? Good!  The song is called Appalachian Sunrise by Wayne Gratz. Whenever I listen to it, I get an overwhelming sense of joy.  I can feel energy in the deepest part of my being welling up.  Today, I went out in the cold, dark, rainy morning to the workout room and got on the treadmill.  After barely getting through 20 minutes, watching the timer thinking “will this ever be over?”, I changed the music to cool-down mode and that was the first song on my playlist.  

Ahhh…. Peace. Happiness.  Warmth.  I started to smile.  As I stretched my muscles, I started to think about the feelings I was experiencing. Then I started to ask myself: “How much of what I choose to do each day brings me joy?”  

Social media, television, printed word… it is rampant with opinion.  So much of it seems to me to be an attempt at provoking negative thoughts. I get caught up.  I have decided I do not need that in my life.

I certainly recognize that I do not live on an island.  I know there are forces of evil in the world.  I labeled my writing today “Positive or Negative”.  I could have used “Good or Evil”.  I selected the words I did, as they do not seem to elicit as much emotion as other choices, and I wanted you to join me today.

My blogging silence has, in a way, been part of the negative energy in my world.  Since starting my “part-time” job, the noise in my brain has amped up to something that sounds very much like the whirl of a tape recording (for those of you who remember that sound) that is on fast-forward.  I find myself lost in the noise, hurrying from task to task, scrambling to fit it all in.  I have my lists, but find that I have placed those things most precious to preserving my positive energy last on the list, and not getting the time they need.

I took time during a quick road to my wonderful friends at Backfield Farm this weekend listening to an audio book that was a reminder of what I am missing.  The noise in my head has kept me from being fully present in where I am right now. THIS moment.  By trying to focus my energy on what I need to do next, I am robbing myself of the joy of just “being” right now.

Sometimes I think to myself there is NOTHING I can do to change things in the world.  Truly change it.  Or can I?  I am but a pebble in the ocean. But what of the ripple effect?  

I make choices in how I live each and every day that create a ripple effect. By remaining present in whatever I am doing, I remain in a positive mindset.  In doing so, I share that positive energy with others.  

I choose to use social media.  My Facebook page is a conduit to friends and family all over the world.  It has allowed me to remain connected to some of the most influential people in my life.  I have fallen in love with photography.  My Instagram feed is a means to share what I see.  I have stopped using Twitter, as I see nothing fruitful in it.  I tried Snapchat and failed. I make choices about what I read.   I make choices about what I view on television.  I choose what feeds my positive energy.

Today I write this blog. I am fully present as I write. Yes, there is a small piece of me, mindful of the clock time, knowing I have to be at the gym to train, but not yet. When my mind wanders, I pull myself back.  For now, I am right here, feeding my positive energy doing something I love.

Recently I have been working on my mediation practice.  My dear friend Katie Q shared some insight with me that I found most helpful.  It is not about how well you do it, only that you do it.  It is not about silencing the brain; it is about just sitting still despite the thoughts, and recognizing that you have them.  It is about sitting still with you for those moments.  

Perhaps it is naïve, but I feel that by creating positive energy within myself, the ripple effect is that I share it.  By being more aware with how present I am in this moment, I am a better listener for someone who needs to share.  That moment may allow them to be more positive, which sends the ripple out just a bit further.

It is a good morning. I am casting out another pebble into the pond.