Simple Joys of the Week, March 23rd Edition

Ready for SJOTW? I know that I've already shared a lot of my sensory pleasures this week, with my posts on both inspiring images and my trip to Nashville, but I still have a few more that I want to explain in depth, so here goes...

What made you smile over the past seven days? I hope you found some time to stop and appreciate the small things in life :)

Hear: Country Music

I know you've already heard it, but I had SO much fun listening to country music in Nashville last weekend. This was 100% the best thing I heard all week, and I've been listening to a lot more country music since I got back to DC. It's funny, though, how much more authentic it feels when you're driving around in Nashville and passing people wearing cowboy boots and hats...anyways, you can listen to one of my new favorites below. It's "A Woman Like You" by Lee Brice--a fun song that to me, just epitomizes country music (plus, I love it because he mentions yoga in the song! Woohoo! Yoga has made it into a country song!). Take a listen and let me know what you think ;)

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See: Live Bands

Again, I know that I've told you how much I loved this--but lets talk about it for a minute. I really don't think there's anything as fun as seeing a live band. Plus, for some reason EVERYONE looks cooler when they're on stage. Do you agree? I mean, there were guys in these bands in Nashville who I would never be attracted to otherwise, but once they were on stage singing country music, I was totally smitten. I mean, there's just nothing that makes people more attractive than seeing them sing their hearts out on stage! So yes, I developed a few crushes in Nashville ;) And dancing, singing aloud, and being a part of and energetic and happy crowd = amazing. 

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Taste: Fruit Tea

Have you ever had this? If not, you need to make some. I'd never even heard of it, but it's basically a staple in Nashville and I got it everywhere we went. It's just a mixture of black tea, pineapple juice, lemonade and orange juice--and it's delish. Such a fun and refreshing way to start the day, and I  didn't even miss my tea from home at all! I think it also helps that it was about 80 degrees and sunny the entire time we were there, but still, it was a wonderfully springy treat. I need to make some at home this summer, but I have a feeling it won't be quite the same as it was in Nashville...

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Smell: Spring is here!

Can you believe it? Tuesday was the first day of spring and it totally feels like spring has arrived (and has for a while now, actually). All of the flowers are blooming, the Cherry Blossoms are coming out, and there are some wonderful spring scents in the air. Yes, my allergies have already started acting up (thank you, Neti Pot!), but it's totally worth it to experience the warmth, the sunshine, and the happy faces on all of my students. Spring really does feel like a time of change, growth, and celebration, and I love the sense of excitement that I feel just walking down the street and taking it all in. Hooray for spring!

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Image via beyondvitality.com.

Touch: Running outside

Now don't get too excited--this eternally-injured girl isn't outside running for fun again--but a run was included in our CrossFit workout last night, and since it was SO pretty outside I decided to give it a try and see how it felt. And honestly, I don't know if it was the warm weather, my new shoes, or the "Pose Running" techniques that we worked on before the run, but I felt hardly any pain while running (and this is not the norm!). Running outside was perfect, and I loved feeling the warm spring air on my skin. I may never be able to go on long runs outside again, but if I can start to work in small distances here and there in a workout, I'll be happy :)

And do you know what I just noticed? None of this week's simple pleasures can be bought (well, I guess fruit tea can, and maybe country music, but they're not that material). Interesting how that works, huh? It's a great reminder that most of the small joys in life come from just experiencing the moment...

I hope you have a wonderful weekend FULL of simple, sensory details. I'm back in Advanced Teacher Training for the weekend, but will definitely share what I learn next week!

Namaste,
Mary Catherine

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