I just returned to “The Good Life” (Nebraska) after being in Summit County, Colorado, for five days. It was great to be back in the mountains again and ski for four days, hang out with some terrific new friends, listen to some good music, and enjoy one of my favorite sports. I had good weather even though afternoon skiing when it’s that warm is like skiing on cotton candy sometimes after dealing with ice in the mornings. Always a challenge. Still, I love that place and will be back often if all goes well. It’s relaxing as well as physically challenging, and summer is even better than the winter.

I’ve come from new snowfall and layers of warm clothing to the fact that my yard needs mowing. At the same time, I’m looking forward to shorts and T-shirts again, and I had a few minutes this evening after arriving home to sit on my deck and admire the new leaves popping out and listen to the songbirds. Hopefully I’ll soon be watching my grandsons playing baseball, camping with friends and family, and lots more deck time.

My two favorite states, I’ve decided, are the states of Contentment and Relaxation. My days now are a succession of both most of the time. The only challenges I’m facing are ones I set for myself. Of course, I have no idea what Life will throw at me at any given moment. A popular paraphrase is from Robert Burns’ poem, “To a Mouse”: “The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray.” It’s much like another I heard long ago: “If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans.”

Despite that, I still make plans. Part of my Contentment is knowing that I’ve been able to prepare some good things for my family no matter what happens to me. We’ve face adversity, heartache, and loss. They’re all part of living, but so is enjoying what life has to offer as often as possible. I think we do a pretty good job of it. A big part of that is enjoying one another.

I plan to do as much of that as possible. I hope everyone else is able to find some contentment and relaxation, as well. Plan on it.

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