As Days Go By

Music serves as the inspiration for a lot of my thoughts. I'm not what one would call a "music geek" but there's nothing that I like more than being able to either walk somewhere beautiful or just sit and listen to my iPod for hours on end. Music brings beauty and serenity and fresh thinking--and after a grueling, yet amazing journey that's exactly what I needed.

One of my favorite songs comes from the Canadian band Carbon Leaf. The oft-repeated chorus line reads "this is my day, this is my song! I am alive what can go wrong?" The song came up as two days ago as I was walking from my flat down to Holyrood Park. The goal was to climb Arthur's Seat for the second time, the giant hill (calling it mountain might be a little too bold) which, like many other such formations in Edinburgh, is an extinct volcano. Not only do I find it hard to sit still most days--just doing nothing really bugs me--but I needed some time to reflect on the past trip, the next few weeks, and most importantly, what my life would be like when I got back to Maine. While stresses are multiple at this point--planning another trip, anticipating exams, moving houses, finding and internship, thesis, etc.--I quickly realized that what really mattered was me, not the things going on with me involved. Carbon Leaf's lyrics provided the inspiration I needed at that time. I'm alive. I'm healthy, both physically and mentally. I'm in Edinburgh. I've been successful in most of my endeavors. What else did I need?

Another inspiration came from the daily United Church of Christ devotional that I (try to) read every day. Psalm 118 states "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Reflecting on this passage, Christina Villa writes, "We don't have to be glad for every day just because God made it. God made it to give us things to be glad about. But it's up to us to recognize them." This is indeed my point. Walking through the streets of Edinburgh you often look at people's expressions. Most likely, people are expressionless, sullen, mad, or determined. Yet when you see a person who's genuinely smiling; looking happy to be alive, you assume that they're either drunk, high, or mentally unstable. Why? Why do we have to be so determined or unhappy? Why is being joyful simply for being in one's own position in life something that has to be so out of the ordinary? Well as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't have to be. The next few weeks that I have here in Edinburgh are completely unstructured--the schedule determined by me and me alone. No exams to study for--that will come in good time. No appointments or lectures or anything else. So instead of being bored and upset of lack of things to do, I plan to enjoy the small things. Take today for instance. I just got back from a nice workout at the gym. I stopped by Tesco on the way home to buy eggs, bacon, and orange juice (Tropicana actually, because it was on sale). I'm going to eat this wonderful meal and then walk down to Prince's Street to enjoy the miraculous spring weather. After that, I might just sit in Prince's Street Gardens, listening to my iPod and reflecting on all the small blessings that God has graced me with. Oh, and then Barcelona v. Real Madrid is on TV tonight--might as well watch that.

To the old me, that would be a rather boring day, but can't being alive be enough? Can't the blessing of free time, money to buy quality food, and the ability to walk miles to enjoy oneself be enough to celebrate? I think it can be, and I hope that I can do my part by enjoying the small things, to bring about good change in this world. I am alive, what can go wrong? As for now, just about nothing.