I Love New Mexico

Anna Quindlen wrote a great little book several years ago with the title “A Short Guide to a Happy Life.” The book is one of my favorite gifts to give – it’s exactly 50 pages of her inspiring prose and beautiful photos of people living their very ordinary but full lives.

The premise is pretty simple and follows my own philosophy: Enjoy life, know what’s important, cherish the ones you love and know that you are uniquely you. It’s the philosophy that helped me survive stage 4 colon cancer when I was diagnosed in 2012.

Here’s one of Quindlen’s quotes: “Life is made of moments, small pieces of silver amidst long stretches of tedium. It would be wonderful if they came to us unsummoned, but particularly in lives as busy as the ones most of us lead now, that won’t happen. We have to teach ourselves now to live, really live . . . to love the journey, not the destination.”

The bottom line is that life is short and we’re all in this together, so treat each other with kindness and live each day fully by paying attention. As Quindlen says on page 41:  “C’mon let’s be honest. We have an embarrassment of riches.  Life is good.”

My favorite part is the last page, where Quindlen tells a story of interviewing a homeless man who lived primarily on the boardwalk of Coney Island, hanging out there regardless of the weather.

When she asked him why he didn’t go to a shelter or check himself into a center for detox, he turned to the ocean and said, “Look at the view, young lady.  Look at the view.”

Then she writes: “And every day, in some little way, I try to do what he said. I try to look at the view. That’s all. Words of wisdom from a man without a dime in his pocket, no place to go, nowhere to be. Look at the view. When I do what he said, I am never disappointed.”

Eloquent words from a great writer, and incredibly true. My life is filled with an embarrassment of riches  – healthy kids, a surprisingly wonderful marriage after so many missteps, great friends, good health, family I love, and a place to live that fills my soul with breathtaking views every day.

This time of year in New Mexico is just another excuse to stop and look at the view. A quick little walk around my neighborhood, a drive through Wagon Mound on my way to Logan, Ute Lake at sunset, a hike at Hyde Park, a drive to Mora (which is where I’m headed today).

The Sangre de Cristos shining in the distance.

During COVID-19, a Facebook page has sprung up entitled “The View From My Window.” All of us in quarantine from the world over have joined and the result is a unifying group where we don’t talk about masks or controversy. We talk about looking at what we have and what we see and what matters. We connect with words of kindness and gratitude. As of today, the group has 2.3 million members and is growing exponentially. Proof positive that we are all learning what’s most important in these interesting times.

Here’s my advice for the day:  Look at the view.  Whether it’s the sunlight playing off your toddler’s hair or the juxtaposition of the green leaves of your aspen trees against a blue New Mexico sky or your backyard in Ireland or Venice or wherever you may be today. Take time to look at the view. You won’t be disappointed.

And if you want a copy of Quindlen’s book, you can find it here. This is an affiliate link, which means that I’ll make a small commission if you order it.

Love your day and your view. It’s the quickest path to happiness that I know.