To reread it, that last post was a little all over the place. Lo siento, mis amigos. I suppose that’s what I get for not taking the time to seclude myself from outside distractions while posting – or for having too many things running through my head at any given time; sometimes I feel like I need to say it all! And let’s be honest, that isn’t going to change any time soon!
Anyway, ice cream. I find an overwhelming sense of joy when I notice something that I believe goes largely unnoticed on any given day. The more “insignificant” the better. It’s the feeling that I’m seeing things for the first time or getting a glimpse of the true nature of something through all the distractions. They’re moments that I feel compelled to share though their retelling may be void of all the impact felt in the moment. For example: This weekend I was with a friend outside of a walk-up ice cream shop. It may sound simple, but somewhere amidst looking over the menu, deciding that I wasn’t hungry enough to indulge, and people watching, I noticed something: Everyone is happy at a walk-up ice cream shop.
Now, okay, I know that happiness can’t be bought, but if it did come from an exchange of currency for goods, I’m convinced it would come in the form of a twist of chocolate and vanilla, smothered in chocolate sauce and sprinkles, or scooped up into a waffle cone. Just trust me on this.
My awareness of this fact struck me while I sat in the car in the parking lot, separated from everyone passing by. Had I been standing in line, I would’ve been too caught up in my own excitement to appreciate the uniqueness of the general attitude around me. Or perhaps the contagious nature of people’s attitudes would negate the preciousness. Either way, this wasn’t the case. I was able to appreciate every laugh, skip, and smile that passed. Small children played with leaves and ran around the walkway in front of the windows before being called to wrap their fingers carefully around their small ice cream cones; the littlest ones then proceeded to navigate the path back to the car with cautiousness, determination, and excitement (the combination of which had me holding my breath, wondering if they would break out in a run and lose their ice cream altogether).
Mothers and fathers turned with smiles to pass out orders. Singles walked up without the “ice cream glow” and walked away, two cones in hand, with smirks spreading across their faces. After a while, my friend and I made a game of it – waiting for the smiles to come. And they did. You don’t come to an ice cream shop if you’re not in a good mood. You may run through Meijer and pick up a carton of ice cream – but a walk-up ice cream shop? That’s an experience. It’s associated with fond memories of youth, warm weather, friends and family. You can’t help but be happy!
So that’s it. My joyful realization of the weekend. What’s there to gain from this insight? Well, I suppose it can be summarized as follows: Happiness is now available for sale at your local walk-up ice cream shop in a variety of flavors! 🙂 Find a mom-and-pop shop; support the local community; spread a smile or two.
P.S. My birthday is tomorrow!
megdanielle 