Five Things That Made Me Smile (March 2024 Edition)
Playing with filters using the Lightroom app. The picture was taken in the house my mother grew up in. Scroll to the bottom of this post and you’ll see me sitting at that same table many moons ago (1977).
It’s April!
How is that possible??
Here are five things that made me smile in March.
Kindness Matters
This moment has to do with driving a stick shift.
Yes, it’s still a thing.
This time, the focus is on kindness. And how much it matters.
I am getting better at driving a stick shift. But there are still those ‘uphill battles.’
Here’s my most recent:
It was a busy Friday evening on the roads in Makarska; I was at a major intersection, and night had fallen.
This specific intersection in Makarska can feel overwhelming while driving an automatic car. Now, imagine how I felt in my 22-year-old stick shift.
I approached the intersection. The light turned red. I stopped at an incline.
I was mentally preparing for what I had to do when the light turned green. And by mentally preparing, I mean overthinking.
Several cars were lining up behind me. It was Friday night. People had places to go.
I kept looking back at the cars and, yup, overthinking.
My hands began to sweat.
When the light turned green, I slowly released the clutch and placed my right foot on the gas pedal.
All I had to do was find the sweet spot.
I couldn’t. Because: overthinking.
And then I stalled.
I tried again.
I stalled again.
I couldn't balance releasing the clutch and hitting the gas.
This happened several times.
And then the honking started.
I panicked.
Eventually, the panic tired me out, and I froze.
Froze. Not exactly like this but this vision came to mind. Also, great movie! *The Shining
A man got out of his car and, with KINDNESS, offered to help.
I told him I couldn’t move my car and that the honking was stressing me out.
He spoke to me kindly; he said: do not listen to the people or the honking around you. You got this.
I could not process his words.
When he saw my state, I exited the car; he got in and moved it from the intersection onto the side of the road.
I thanked him.
He went back to his car. And he drove off.
Eventually, I drove home.
It was all I could think about for a few days—my incident and the kind man who helped me.
I would replay the scenes, and the panic would return. Then, I would remember the man and his kindness.
A few days later, as I was pulling into my parking spot, one of the construction workers across the road from my apartment waved to me, and I waved back - because that’s what I do.
As I exited my car, he said: you managed that well!
I paused, looked at him, and realized he was the KIND MAN!
Photo by Thirdman: https://www.pexels.com/photo/be-kind-words-on-pink-background-5981369/
I do not recall ever seeing this man on the site.
Who was this man? Was he an angel in human form?
I wanted to cry. I wanted to hug him. So many feelings. All at once.
Instead, I approached him and told him how much his help meant to me.
He smiled.
Once again, he told me: do not listen to the people or the honking around you. You got this.
And this time, I processed his words.
His kindness turned a frustrating moment into a moment of kindness. His kindness turned my frown upside down.
My takeaway:
If someone is struggling and happens to be in your personal, professional, or physical space - take a moment, pause, and breathe. Then…
Offer to help. Or. Shush.
Just don’t be an asshole. There’s no need for that.
Here’s a piece on kindness by Austin Kleon.
Read it as a reminder of why kindness matters.
Hiking Matters
Hiking above Omiš
In March I hiked around the Omiš area (Omiška Dinara) and the Makarska area (Biokovo).
The Omiš area hike was a 12km hike with over 20,000 steps taken. It was intense. It was peaceful. It was breathtaking.
Yes, all of that.
The Makarska area hike was much more relaxed.
That day, I covered just over 10,000 steps through Biokovo Nature Park.
We hiked alongside a children’s hiking school, encountered wild horses, and visited the former shepherd’s settlement of Podglogovik.
Not a bad way to spend a Sunday.
Wild horses on Biokovo
My hiking adventures make me smile.
Here are a few reasons why.
I appreciate the physical activity:
Self-explanatory.
Also, who doesn’t like seeing over 20,000 steps in one day on their health app?
I have to be present:
Hiking is an excellent exercise in being present. Every step matters, and there is no time to zone out.
Zoning out happens after the hike. Or while resting atop a mountain.
One of my first hikes with a local hiking association. Taking a break and looking out onto the Biokovo mountain range.
Hiking has become part of who I am.
While I don't go hiking every weekend, I am grateful that I discovered this activity.
Hiking has served as a reminder of what happens when I live by my values and do the things that bring me joy.
And that makes me smile.
If hiking is your thing and you are in Croatia, here are two apps that might interest you.
That’s me! On a hiking trip to Pag.
Zagreb + Supporting Others Matters
In March, I spent a few days in Croatia’s capital, Zagreb.
That in and of itself was enough to make me smile.
While I have come to appreciate the ways of the Dalmatian coast and am grateful for all it has done for my heart, soul, and mind over the last two years, I am a city girl and find joy in the sights and sounds of a big city.
Yes, I understand that I might be the anomaly in Croatia.
My most recent visit was to celebrate the opening of a friend's new business —her Pilates Reformer Studio in the Špansko neighborhood of Zagreb: Be You Pilates.
I love that I was able to celebrate her new adventure in person. I am thrilled that she is doing something that brings her joy.
I encourage you to check out her Instagram account or sign up for a class.
Midlife Matters
Reading writer, Caroline Cala Donofrio’s most recent post, It's Not a Midlife Crisis made me smile because of these three lines:
Why is “midlife crisis” all we get? Because what I’m sensing feels more like midlife courage. Maybe that should be a thing.
North American culture and society (probably thanks to Hollywood) have made us believe that midlife and crisis must go together.
And I went along with that notion -until I entered midlife.
It has felt more like a midlife awakening—an understanding and acceptance of self. Not a crisis.
So when Caroline referred to it as midlife courage, I thought, Yes! That too!
Don't get me wrong. It might start as a crisis.
I know that’s how it felt for me at the start.
But it has become an adventure in self-discovery, acceptance, joy, and curiosity.
Where’s the crisis in all that?
So, I am here for the rebranding.
Midlife courage.
You Matter
Thank you for taking the time to read my rambles.
Yes, you.
Seriously, this blog, writing, and sharing… has been a learning opportunity for me.
And having anyone read it besides me has been an exercise in vulnerability.
While I don’t know why you read my rambles, I appreciate that you do, and I appreciate your comments, notes, and emails. Thank you.
Whatever brought you here, I hope you get something out of my rambles.
Above all, I hope my stories remind you to appreciate YOUR adventure.
Thank you for reading.
Now, take a hike ;)
My ujko (uncle) Marijan, me and my baba. Circa 1977. Same table as the one at the top of this post. Less filter.
