Recovery and Appreciation

I have had a two week bout with pneumonia, which I am gratefully through with now.
Why does one have to get sick sometimes to appreciate the treasures of having good health? Today, even when I had to walk a short while in the rain, I loved being out. The streets glistened, the puddles created choices for me – should I go directly in them or around them – the smell of the day indicated to me that Spring is in the air.
I think I am learning to be grateful every day for all the good fortunes I have in my life. I stop to metaphorically smell the various roses more. I am aware of all the sights and sounds I have in my life in New York. I love being in the streets and just watching. I love the different boots that people choose to wear on different weather days. I actually decide the ones I would like to own and sometimes even stop the wearers to ask where they bought them. People are always delighted to tell me. It’s as if I have given their decisions my approval. That’s positive attention, I know.
I love to see all the families out walking together. For years I lived in Los Angeles, where people spend most of their hours outside encased in their cars, unless they descend on the parks or the beaches. There just seems to be more interaction between people here. I feel like I am part of the world here.
I love learning the short cuts around the city, how to go anywhere by public transportation and where I really enjoy the adventure of shopping and stopping for snacks.
I never fail to marvel at the sights I see outside my windows: The lights, the traffic patterns and the sunsets. I could take photos of the sunsets almost every night, for they’re like art pieces evolving right in front of my eyes.
Now that I’m healthy again, I want to take advantage of every moment of every day, even when it means that I am silent for a bit, take the time to breathe and to consider my choices. Perhaps, this is really what happiness means to me – being conscious, being present, being able to make choices and enjoy the moment.