This morning, the woman making my juice at the juice bar said to me, “You’re always smiling.” I then thought, “Well, I love juice-so I’m excited.”, “I like the familiarity of the same person making my juice every morning.”, “Why in the hell wouldn’t I be smiling!?” As I paid for my groceries and drove away into my morning, I realized why I’ve had this saying in my brain for the past month, “CHOP WOOD, CARRY WATER.” It’s a zen saying that references the ability to do mundane, day-to-day things before and after awakening (or being conscious). By ability I mean the idea that life isn’t always thrilling, exciting and that eventually-once the storm and the celebration settles, you have to come back to life. We will all experience extreme greatness in certain moments of our life. Our dreams will come true, we will find that perfect person, we will be happy with our finances. But when these things aren’t happening, life should not be any less glorious. Any less fascinating. Work is work. Sickness is sickness. Emptiness is emptiness.

We’re always looking for the next best thing. Sometimes we get a wave of energy penetrating our life that is full of opportunity, we are vibrating at exceptionally high frequencies, we experience the bliss of adoration and meaningfulness. Other times, we wake up and have to sit in the office, take care of obligations, pay bills, deal with conflicts and resolve painful experiences. Why did the woman tell me today that I’m always smiling? First off, it’s because I’ve realized a few things:

1. Acceptance: Regardless of what “Phase”, “Cycle” or mindset I’m in, I’m OK with it. I don’t resist the fact that I’m human and that I get angry, irrational, lazy, bored, sad etc. I’m totally present to my life.

2. Magic: Magic and miracles are everywhere. Yesterday I sat on my couch working with the door open and a hummingbird flew into my patio to drink nectar from the ruby red hibiscus. That was a miracle. I notice that the ocean changes colors based on our weather. That’s magical to me. I can use my breath at anytime to enter into a higher state of thinking. Wow!

3. Consciousness: I pay attention. I look for signs and I act on them. I know what a synchronicity is. I believe I am a co-creator with the universe. I trust the infinite possibilities of my reality. I’m present for this ride.

So, life will be life. Sometimes it will be everything we’ve dreamed of, other times were going to want to escape, hide, cry. IT doesn’t matter. Just BE. Just “CHOP WOOD, CARRY WATER”.