Oz never gave nothin' to the tin man that he didn't already have.~Lyrics from Tin Man by America

"This is my last day at work," he said.  "Really?  What's going on for you?  Do you have another job?"  I asked.  Andrew swiped the bangs from his forehead and looked at me directly.  His blue eyes glittered with excitement.  "Well, Priscilla, I guess you could say I'm going to another job.  I'm moving to Houston to play with my band full-time.  I leave tomorrow.  We've got quite a few gigs.  We're going on tour, and I'm totally psyched about it--a little scared too."   "Wow," I answered.  "Congratulations. I'll miss you.  All best, Andrew.  I've enjoyed working with you.  I had no idea you were part of a band."  "I know," he said.  "I had to take a 'real job' to pay bills.  I'm taking a risk, but it's now or never."

I couldn't stop thinking about my encounter with Andrew.  Part of me was envious--jealous of his bold decision to follow his heart.  I wanted to get up and leave my frantic pace behind as well--find a more relaxed rhythm for my life.  "Oh, Priscilla.  Stop it.  That's something you can't do.  That's not realistic."  That statement didn't ring quite true.  The more accurate statement:  "Your heart already tells you many of the things you want.  Simple things that you only allow yourself in measure.  What could you do each day to increase delight?  You don't need to move anywhere to begin doing this."

That very afternoon, on my way to the bank, I rolled down all my windows in the car and cranked up  seventies music.  That's my decade.  I love the music of Carole King, The Bee Gees, The Carpenters.  America.  The cool air washed over my face, the freedom of singing in the car seemed to release the tension of the day.  I was back in my brown 1977 Camaro again belting out Tin Man, my heart revived.  Something as simple as a fresh breeze and a song conjured the beauty of youth.  I wasn't young anymore, but that carefree girl was still a part of me.  What else, I wondered.  What else could I do to increase my delight in life withough picking up and moving to Houston? 

I made a list:

Browse for as long as I want at the library.

Take walks at different places around town--engage with my city.

Throw out worn out shoes and clothes, dusty rugs.

Indulge my love of fragrance and buy my favorite perfume.

Stop denying myself solitude and enjoy my own company, the gift of silence.

Read an entire book at one sitting, underlining all my favorite passages.

Revel in my quotes collection.

Sleep in

I'm convinced that God placed a craving for delight in all our hearts.  And a good father is delighted when His children experience delight.  The world can be gray at times.  Murky.  Filled with responsibility.  And these responsibilities are necessary.  Even Andrew will face the management of travel and finances as he goes on tour with his band.  God knows we have these life duties and tasks.  He helps us with them. He also desires for our hearts to be alive, growing, delighted.  What brings you delight?  Create your own list.  Do one thing on the list this week.  What might happen?