Just because you're nice...

Something really interesting happened to me yesterday.

I had a busy Saturday, running errands up and down my neighborhood.  Among all the things I did, I stopped at a local department store to pick up some office supplies I was needing.  I went there with a budget of $10, so I had to stretch my buck as much as I could.  I always look around the bargain isles, hoping to find a cheap fix to my shopping spree.  This is what ended up in my cart...

Colorful, fun goodies! You need to understand that I've been a little short on cash lately, and, considering my present circumstances, this purchase was in itself a luxury.  I then went on to the office supplies, picked up the things I needed and kept a tight watch on the prices because I really needed to stay in budget.

A very warm, and tender cashier greeted me as I laid my items on her station.  This is how the conversation went:

"Hi!", she started scanning the products. " I see you have a birthday party, right?"

"Hmmm not really", I gave her a big smile. " these are just cute! you know, the kind of things that make your day prettier." She started laughing as if I had told her the best joke ever.  I laughed back just because it was contagious, while peeking at the final amount I had to pay.  It summed up to $12 and change. But then, I see that she starts typing something on the computer, and the total starts going down, and down, and down. She saw my surprised look and said, "You see, I just gave you a discount.  Just because you're nice." I thanked her and payed my bill.

The thing is, I was nice to her just because.  I wasn't really looking to get something out of it.  It was a genuine conversation filled with genuine laughter.

My final bill was $9.53, by the way.  Wishing a wonderful and happy Sunday to you!

When was the last time you made something pretty?

Yesterday, my sweetie and I had a blast together.  In the morning, we ran on the beach and took a swim in the cool water.  In the afternoon, we made bubbles and played a little bit of badminton as the sun was setting down.  We looked like two 8 year olds enjoying a long summer day totally unaware of the impossibilities that we put on ourselves.

I took this shot with my iphone.  It totally reflects our day, the vibrations we made and shared with the universe.  In synch, airy, and light.  Confident that we would rise up and knowing that if we didn't, we would fall together.  We should have more days like this one.  Because, honestly, it's been a while since I haven't felt so good, so free, so young.  Life gets harder as we grow older, and it's up to us to make it easier, for our soul's sake.

And as I write this I wonder, when was the last time I made something pretty? Just because.  When was the last time I just happened to be, simply enjoying my existence, the fact that I am on Earth, right here, right now?  It's been a while, but somehow this picture broke the spell.

I encourage anyone reading this blog today to reach for the pretty in your life.  Stare at it today and marvel at its existence.  Enjoy it, just because is there, for you, and be thankful.  It can be anything, but it must amuse you, it must move you.  But, if you look around and don't find any such thing, make one.  Invent something, anything pretty just for your, and be happy about it.

This shot will always remind us of that afternoon where we just happened to be together.  And is the prettiest thing I've made in a very long time.