These past few weeks I've been thinking about my soul and the things that feed it. I've been thinking about the things in this crazy world that cause my heart to let out a sigh of relief and let in the fuel that gives me energy to keep going. You'd think this would be easy to determine, but for me it wasn't.
I believe there's a difference between something that makes you happy, and something that feeds you. Something that leaves you better in the end than you were in the beginning, something that fills you up to overflowing and gives you a high, a joy that no other artificial thing can give you. Over the course of this journey I've found a few things that do just that. The best part is now that I've identified them, the joy they bring me has grown because of my gratitude for the outcome.
Live Music.
Live music feeds me. It gets into parts of me that nothing else can. It can awaken all of my emotions at once and leave me feeling as thought I've just spent thousands of dollars on therapy, but didn't have to say a word.
Large Bodies of Water.
It doesn't matter what kind; the ocean, a lake, a pond, stream, or river... they are all fantastic. Not only are they beautiful but they demonstrate a power bigger than my self and provide a soundtrack for my thoughts that is so organic and yet completely accurate.
Open Sky.
Growing up in Delaware county there is not much open sky. If you love trees you are in the right place, but large areas of open sky are hard to come by. It makes me appreciate them all the more when I find them. Coming out of a heavily canopied area and stepping into the largeness of open sky blows my mind every time. (This would explain my overwhelming obsession with the reservoir, open sky + large body of water = very happy Marti!)
Freshly Hatched Babies.
Yes, you have read that correctly. I love babies, but I especially love the newborns. They make me burst with joy. The happiness that comes from holding these tiny little humans can not be compared to anything. It is like medicine for my body and my soul. It is always a great day when a baby is born and can pull me from any mood I'm in.
People.
Loving people and sharing in their lives feeds me. I don't think there's any greater privilege in this world then getting to come along side someone and get a front row seat to their life; their pain, their joy, their struggles and their triumphs. I think the fact that people love and trust me enough to be that person in their lives has a much greater impact on me then they themselves.
Words.
Lately writings, thoughts and quotes have been an ever growing love in my life. Some of them are my own but often they are from others, people with more intelligence and a better understanding of life then myself. These words can in one small sentence hit a place in my heart that I thought was inaccessible and make me let out a (usually audible) "hmmmm." They help me to ponder things that I would otherwise not think about or brush aside without a second thought. It's amazing how a few sentences can explain something, encourage you, pinpoint your weaknesses, build up your strengths, or hit a spot that you didn't even know existed. It's powerful, overwhelming, and utterly fantastic all at the same time.
Here are some of my favorite words...
