I Need A Smoke Break

In August of 2015 Carrie Underwood released her album Storyteller. Smoke Break is one of songs. There was a period when the tune was played OFTEN on the radio, however, as the year progressed and new songs were released, I have heard it less often. Yep. I like her. I like the song. Good stuff.

The other day I was toodle-ing along, enjoying the warm sun and blasting my radio when this song came on. I boisterously sang along and thought "Man, I need a smoke break."

Things can be rough, can't they? 

Family. Kids. Relationships. Pets. Chores. Bills. Age. Health. Life. They all have ups and downs, don't they? At times, it feels like the stress and worry grabs control and dominates all waking thought.  

I had a pretty-amazingly-radically-awesome-oh-I-love-her-so-much neighbor that would periodically sit on her front porch and take a smoke break. I could see her chatting on the phone or sitting in silence. At times, I would wander over and sit and chat with her. Sometimes the smoke would waft through my open windows and I would fondly think of Brit. There were times that I vocalized "I wish I smoked." My reasoning? I envied that "take a break from life" opportunity a smoke break can provide.

I am a believer that it's the little moments that matter. The small talk at the dinner table. Snippets of conversation while driving to run errands. Comfortable silence while walking in a park. These moments speak volumes in a relationship. 

Maybe it's just as important to take those little moments and turn them inward. Maybe it's not so bad to forget the big things that smother us and take a moment to focus on the little things that inspire us. Maybe the crud that surrounds us will ALWAYS surround us but maybe we forget that joy is patiently waiting to be noticed. Maybe stress is the hare in the race we call life, but maybe, just MAYBE happiness is the tortoise. MAYBE peace and joy and happiness and comfort will prevail if we just be patient. Just maybe....

She said, I don't drink
But sometimes I need a stiff drink
Sipping from a high, full glass
Let the world fade away
She said, I don't smoke
But sometimes I need a long drag
Yeah, I know it might sound bad
But sometimes I need a smoke break