My days are filled with butterflies - of all kinds. Mornings I often awake to a van covered with butterflies, but once the dog stirs and the van shakes - they fly off. This one didn’t. It even lingered long enough for me to grab my camera - another amazing thing!

Part of the joy of being in the van, camping, parking, whatever I do - are these moments I can capture and share. The thought that popped in my head when I saw this of course, was the fine print on most rear view mirrors, “Warning, Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.” It’s a warning for life too. That if you put it off long enough, you won’t be able to enjoy it. More importantly, happiness and contentment are closer than they appear - if you’re willing to reach for it.

I was in a hospital cafeteria the other day snagging Wi-Fi and listening to about a dozen people seated around me saying the same thing - “Isn’t it a great fall day! Wow. Wish I could get out of here and go for a walk, ride, run or sit in the sun and enjoy it.” Then they went back to reading the newspaper, eating lunch or got up and walked back to their cubicle. Not a one stood and gazed out the window and said, “I think I’ll eat outside today.” They sat in the air-conditioning and talked about how great it would be to smell the air, the flowers, feel the warm sun. But it obviously wasn’t as much fun as they anticipated it being or they would have just walked out the door and into the sun.

Happiness is closer than it appears. I got up and went outside and sat in the 70 degree fall crispness….and slept in it too! All that stood between them and that wonderful weather was a short walk to the benches outside the window. Less than 50 steps to take, yet they were content to complain and wish.

What is it you’re telling yourself would be “fun” to do, but aren’t doing? Have you gone outside today? Have you done something you want to do - but tell yourself you don’t have time to do? If not now, when? You don’t have to live in a van or RV to put yourself out in nature. You just have to walk out the door or open a window. Go ahead. Do it. Take a deep breathe and enjoy it. I am.