Nadine J Walters – My Life

Question for today: Why are you smiling?

My answer: There are a number of reasons—but first, let me say this is a real, happy smile. Not just a contented smile, but the kind that says I am delighted. Delighted with what? Quite a few things.

My smile started this morning as Andy and I went for a walk. It was much cooler outside—at least twenty degrees cooler than it has been lately. I love 64 degrees! Andy was in such a good mood, running and zooming without a care in the world. He sniffed whatever smelled good, chased after whatever caught his attention, greeted people along the way, and just thoroughly enjoyed himself. Watching him reminded me that letting go—simply being in the moment—makes everything lighter. Dogs may not think the way we do, but they certainly model how to enjoy what’s right in front of them. Why shouldn’t I do the same? Why not just savor the cool air, the quiet, and the gift of being outdoors with no expectations?

My next happy moment (and this one is really silly) came when I arrived at what I thought was the first day of a two-day painting workshop. But when I got there—no one was around. Turns out, I had the wrong day. The workshop starts tomorrow. My bad, but also… my good! Instead of being upset, I realized I’d been handed a gift: an extra free day. Everything is already ready for tomorrow, and today is wide open. Saturday won’t be free anymore, but that hardly matters—I had no plans for it anyway. Now I can spend today working on the paintings that came to mind during my walk, or simply do whatever I feel like.

The last thing that made me smile this morning was watching a YouTube interview with Jimmy Kimmel, Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. (Remember—I have a free day, so I can afford to linger a little.) They were promoting Only Murders in the Building, and the four of them together were just so fun and lighthearted, celebrating the show, Selena’s upcoming wedding, and Steve Martin’s birthday. When they mentioned that Steve had turned 80, my smile grew even bigger. Of course, I don’t know him, but I’ve been a fan for years, and he looks amazing at 80.

That’s when it hit me: 80 is only eight years away for me. And instead of feeling shocked or discouraged, I felt hopeful. I thought—why not me? I can be just as dynamic in my own way at 80, as long as I keep choosing joy, keep showing up to life, and most of all—keep smiling.