Life is so endless to me. Just when I think I’ve seen and experienced everything possible, something astounding comes along, and I’m engulfed in its beauty once more. To pause and cherish the people and places we are surrounded by is something we can always do more of. And when we do…it’s damn magical.
Last month Roy from Back on the Rock shared his love for running, how its physical and meditative benefits made him reconnect with the rhythm of life. In my new series, The Life Enthusiast Chronicles, awesome humans from all over the world discuss what makes them tick.
Today I’m very excited to welcome Sheila Hurst, a gal I met somewhat recently in the bloggerhood, and I bonded with instantly. She has a lovely way of seeing the world, taking each day in stride with humor and appreciation. I can always count on an inspirational read when one of Sheila’s posts pops up in my inbox. Her consistent positivity is a wonderful energy we are all lucky to experience. And, that makes her a wonderful example of a life enthusiast.
Connect with Sheila on Twitter. (You’re sure to have some laughs, as we did with our goat repartee some months back.)
Go for it, Sheila…
I love the friends I’ve found here. In one way or another, they’re always reminding me to appreciate everything.
Britt’s sense of humor and enthusiasm for life is contagious. When she asked what made me enthusiastic about life, my first thought was the ocean. Then the more I thought about it, I realized it’s everything. It just depends on how you look at it.
I guess I’ll try to narrow it down a little.
Sometimes it’s the simple things: a butterfly splash of color, a sunset blazing in the background, wind lifting and rustling the leaves, laughter and music trickling through the air.
Just being outside revives me.
I love watching the seasons change while noticing things like a bud about to bloom or all the colors and patterns held in one leaf. The sound of birds singing after a long winter of silent snow fills my soul with happiness. The feel of the sun on my skin makes me want to soak in everything and let it all become a part of me.
Whenever I think of the universe, it astounds me that we’re all part of something so great. Something that’s in constant motion, always changing, yet somehow stable. It’s chaotic and harmonic and still so mysterious.
Dogs bring me back to Earth and remind me of all the joy that can be found in a leaf pile or a mud puddle or a snowstorm. They always make me laugh with their smiles and licks. They’re so full of love and they’re constantly giving that love away while still managing to overflow with it.
And then there’s people. I’ve been lucky enough to know some truly great ones.
My mom, dad, and brother were the first great ones I got to know. My elementary school, high school, and college friends are scattered everywhere now but when we are able to see each other, it’s always as if no time has passed – even if it’s been years. Someday we’ll all meet in a bar with goats (and believe it or not, there is a place like that in Memphis).
So it’s everything. There’s so much to appreciate.
And the more we think about it all, the more we realize how true that is.
Britt Skrabanek 
Nicely put !
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
Huge hugs back! We need as many hugs as possible during these snowstorms. 🙂
You have a lovely outlook on life, Sheila. Your post helps to remind us that we are a small part of something hugely wonderful, and that we can all draw energy and bounty from the world if we are open and ‘enthusiastic’.
Thanks Kate! You inspire me too. It’s great that we can keep inspiring each other along the way. Maybe then we won’t go too crazy. 🙂
It IS quite the ride, isn’t it?
And we have goats.
Yes it is…and I think we all need to meet up in that goat bar someday.
Baah! (The goats agree.)
Beautiful Post:) Glad I hopped over here from Sheila’s blog to check out what you are up to. Happy Hump Day!
Thanks Renee! I’m happy you hopped. Britt is awesome too. It’s always fun to introduce friends to each other and I think you guys will get along well. 🙂
All three of us LOVE LIVING LIFE:)
I just love Sheila’s posts – I’m heading off to twitter now to push that follow button 😉
Britt, you are such a thoughtful soul and Sparks is absolutely gorgeous! 😀
You won’t regret following Sheila on Twitter, Dianne! She’s one of my favorite tweeps.
And, thank you for the sweet compliment. *blushing from head to toe*
Thanks Dianne! We might even let you join the goat club. 🙂 Hope those creatures are treating you well.
Sheila we sprung from the same vine I am sure of that. I love the term life enthusiast Thats me! I want to join your team I had a friend laugh at me one day as I stopped in mid sentence to watch a magnificent eagle fly over us…..she said “Man you really do notice the little things don’t you?” It was at that moment I realised not every body does this. I love reading your words thanks for sharing Britt’s place I will be back to read some more soon. Have a great day and expect miracles every day.
We’re definitely from the same vine and it’s great to find you growing all the way out there in Australia! Noticing all those little things will always make us happier. You and Britt are both true life enthusiasts. I’m sure you’ll love each other’s posts.
Im sure I will too! Thanks for sharing her blog.
Great post, Shiela. I agree–we are part of something so amazing…and my dog does remind me of all the little things that are overlooked (although some things should remain overlooked and not smelled–like other dogs’ poop. Ick. But pretty much everything else is awesome)
Hahah! That’s true and pretty crazy that dogs can be so enthusiastic about something like poop. I guess they really do find joy in everything. 🙂
Dogs, the change in seasons and the small, wonderful things in life – I share your joy in all those things Sheila, thanks for sharing your enthusiasm with us and thanks Britt for another great instalment in the series!
I’m glad to hear that! There’s so much happiness in so many things and it just depends on how you look at it. With dogs and people like Britt that happiness is easy to find.
Been lurking…and your mention of ‘goat repartee’ made me take notice! I, too, love goofy goats and am currently posting my ‘Goat Suite Saga’ on my website/blog…admittedly a much longer convo than your tweets…but it seems your group introduced a whole new realm of Yoga poses in honor of those goofy goats, eh?
I’m enjoying perusing your site…keep writing!
peace
It’s great to find more goat lovers out there! They are a lot of fun. Thanks for letting me know about the goat stories – I’ll have to check them out.
Stumbled on both your sites (Sheila&Britt) and the goat connection is what got me to comment! I love goofy goats, too, and enjoyed your ‘goat repartee’ convo…looks like your group bestowed quite the honor with the new ‘goat pose’ in Yoga!!! I am currently posting my ‘Goat Suite Saga’ on my website/blog, so my interest in all things goat is genuine, I assure you!HA!
keep writing both of you!
peace
That’s awesome! Kind of a long running inside joke that keeps on going. But, who doesn’t love goats?! Thanks for stopping by and sharing some goat love, Laura.
‘goat love’ hmm, I like that as in ‘spread a little goat love all around…’ hmmm a germ of an idea; thanks!
peace
Sheila’s answer perked up my day and made me want to go outside and enjoy a little nature despite the cold and snow and ice. I love the way she expressed the earth being in constant motion and us along with it. I feel that same amazement often, but don’t know that I could have put it into words. Leave it to a writer like her to explain it so easily.
Another great post, Britt. 🙂
I hope you went out to dance in the snow! 🙂 Thanks so much – I’m glad you’re feeling that sense of amazement from the universe too!
It’s so easy in today’s western world to be overcome with all the bad news that surrounds us. Your posts always help me remember there’s so much more that is good and right than the media would lead us to believe!
Thanks JM – that’s really nice of you to say. I just try not to pay too much attention to the news and give more attention to nature instead. Nature has a way of reenergizing and amazing us, especially when we’re feeling trampled on by too much civilization.