Just Another Day in Paradise

Emotions are high.  The news is discouraging.  One hit after another.  There seems to be no peace, no joy.  Even in times like this, you can choose to be happy.  You can choose to be grateful.  Regardless your station in life, if you sit back and choose to enjoy life that God has given you, you will be amazed at the enjoyment you get from simple things.  Dark thunderclouds (literal and figurative) can be rumbling all around you, but you can choose to walk in sunshine and blue skies.

Here's one thing that we've really found enjoyment out of lately.  With the weather warming up, we've gotten into a habit lately of cooking outdoors Sunday after church.  We bought a fire pit with a grill on top that swivels out of the way.  In an on-going chore with all the trees in the yard, we constantly pick up live oak and pecan twigs, branches, and limbs.  We gather it and use it as fuel for our outdoor cooking.

My Wife - Chillin' & Grillin'

The wood fire smells great as we sit back on the swing and visit, happy that we aren't heating up the house cooking indoors.  The birds chirp, the breeze blows through the trees, and the fragrance of sauteed mushrooms in a cast iron skillet and shish-ka-bobs waft through the air.  We talk about happy things and enjoy each others' company.  Despite everything going on, we can be grateful for God's blessings in our lives. 

We cherish the time and look forward for the food to be done.  We feast and then enjoy coffee and dessert.  The stresses of life dissipates as the embers cool.  The boys join us after church for our meal and family time.  We laugh hearty laughs and enjoy each other's company.

As I think about the small things that bring satisfaction in the midst of a tumultuous world, I'm reminded that no one's life is perfect.  I'm reminded that it is good to pause, reflect and enjoy the life God's given you.  Finally, I'm reminded that it is good to laugh - deep belly laughs.  Days like this are healthy for the soul and we commit to have more of them together.

Phil Vassar writes and sings some great songs and one in particular, "Just Another Day in Paradise" underscores the importance of enjoying, laughing, and giving thanks to God in the good times and bad.  It's one of those songs that are fun to sing along to and it's hard to be in a bad mood after listening to it.

I've posted the video below that you can listen to if you click the red arrow.  I also put the words to the song below.  I hope you enjoy it and it brings a smile to your face like I do when I hear it.

Just Another Day in Paradise - Phil Vassar

The kids screaming, phone ringing
Dog barking at the mailman bringing
That stack of bills - overdue
Good morning baby, how are you?
Got a half hour, quick shower
Take a drink of milk but the milk's gone sour
My funny face makes you laugh
Twist the top on and I put it back
There goes the washing machine
Baby, don't kick it.
I promise I'll fix it
Long about a million other things

Well, it's ok. It's so nice
It's just another day in paradise
Well, there's no place that
I'd rather be
Well, it's two hearts
And one dream
I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the lord every night
For just another day in paradise

Friday, you're late
Guess we'll never make our dinner date
At the restaurant you start to cry
Baby, we'll just improvise
Well, plan B looks like
Dominoes' pizza in the candle light
Then we'll tippy toe to our room
Make a little love that's overdue
But somebody had a bad dream
Mama and daddy
Can me and my teddy
Come in to sleep in between?

Yeah it's ok. It's so nice.
It's just another day in paradise.
Well, there's no place that
I'd rather be
Well, it's two hearts
And one dream
I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the lord every night
For just another day in paradise