Magical day

Today was one of those days that can only be described as magical. Enchanting because I was given so many beautiful things. It was also magical because I did my bit to seize opportunities for happy moments. Arnold Retzer, a clever and cheeky psychologist and coach, says that you can ruin any relationship if you expect it to be happy all the time. And it's better to be content with what you have instead of constantly striving for (more) happiness together. And then enjoy the unexpected moments of happiness all the more.

I wondered whether this also applies to relationships with God. Whether the (often fuelled) expectation that you have to experience God even more, even deeper, even more intensely, deprives you of the happiness of the relationship. And whether you can experience much more happiness if you are more relaxed.

Just like today.

- The happiness of jumping into the river in the morning, swimming for half an hour and enjoying the bitterly cold but velvety soft water. My part: overcoming my inner bastard and jumping in...er...shivering and feeling my way in.

- A delicious breakfast with bread rolls, egg and fruit salad (my share: sitting down at the laid table... ;-)

- Being lent a kayak paddle by complete strangers I met on the river.... after they had seen how I struggled to get the big canoe forwards with the single canoe paddle. My part in it: admitting that it was really hard...and gratefully accepting the gift....and enjoying the rest of the trip twice as much.

- Being offered a large cup of coffee in a pub. My contribution: although the sign on the door said „Closed Society“, I bravely and kindly asked if I could have a coffee anyway. The closed party was a wedding and christening. So I also got to enjoy classical music, a romantic love story between Frederike and Axel (or Alex), where lightning had actually struck (in a meadow) when they fell in love. My share: Being there, drinking coffee, listening and enjoying...and wishing the bride and groom all the best...

- An enchanted moment when a pair of dragonflies settled on my arm to mate and I was able to observe and photograph them at close range (with my left arm outstretched). My part: Be there, be quiet, observe and enjoy.

- The last rays of sun on my face. My share: paddling away from the shady shore than me
the loud music from the neighbouring property was annoying.

- At the end of the day: a full moon and fireworks - not bad for a day on which I wasn't expecting any particular luck.

I'd say my God and I had a pretty good day today. He gave a gift, I took it and enjoyed it.