A Breath of Fresh Air

Where does one go for their happy place? When times are tough, when life is likened to the old man of the sea, what does one do to seek solace?

The other day, driving down the highway, I was listening to FOX News and they were talking about all the money being shelled out for frivolous earmarks. The spending at the expense of the taxpayer is becoming endless and I was grinding amid all the turmoil.

Anyway, as I was driving southbound on I95 in South Carolina I came upon a section of impeccably manicured and aesthetically terraformed terrain. The overpass was beautifully lined with trees and all four corners of the intersection were amassed with foliage; flowers, trees and shrubs. On both sides of the highway were crystal clear ponds with magnificent water fountains shooting thirty feet in the air. At that moment, a moment of perspicious clarity,  it dawned on me. If this was what my tax dollars were spent on, it was worth it. My angst and tumult melted away. The optical beauty and breathtaking expanse of land impinged on my soul and made me take notice. The money paid, was money well spent.

The next day in Mississippi during the wee hours of the morn, daybreak  barely upon us, I drove down a lonely country road. A thinly veiled fog lurked across the landscape and a gentle mist began to fall. The trees were blooming with the coming of spring, radiantly fresh and sparkling green. The color of the budding leaves was illuminated by the mist, and once again, I was taken aback by all its glory. Many a thing makes one stop and take notice.

Where does one go for peace? What pictures do you conjure up? What songs, poems, collective pleasures of life does one reflect upon to experience the joys of heaven in such tumultuous times? These two are some for me, along with two others I viewed that evening.

Six year old Connie, missing her two front teeth, was an unlikely candidate on Britain’s Got Talent. Singing a capella with an effervescent personality she stunned the audience and warmed my heart. She became world renowned in an instant with her melodious voice and an innocence that touches your soul.

Britain’s Got Talent - 6 Year-old Connie Sings! - Video

Next came Susan Boyle. A forty-seven year old, never been kissed, ugly duckling. More than an unlikely candidate. Someone the audience and judges alike silently scorned and ridiculed based on her appearance alone. Her eccentric and effusive personality was endearing as well as a breath of fresh air. Once she opened her mouth the shock and awe that followed was unbelievable. The euphonic sound was nothing less than pervasive and astonishing, bringing tears of joy to not only my eyes, but everyone who observed the gloriously arresting performance.

YouTube - Susan Boyle - Singer - Britains Got Talent 2009 (With …

Susan’s performance gives life to one’s dreams. Not only does she give tremendous pleasure, but vision, desire and drive to all of mankind. She’s a touchstone for all of man to achieve his goals.

I keep these memories, these mental image pictures, to carry me over in times of duress, seemingly unending travail.