I dipped my tortilla chip into the mound of guacamole resting on top of my vegetarian Burrito Bowl and smiled. Was I smiling in anticipation of the pleasure that my tastebuds were going to experience?

It was a sunny and crisp Wednesday afternoon in New York City and I had an unexpected hour-and-a-half free after an appointment was canceled. Maybe that was making me smile.

I polished off my lunch and looked out through the large windows of the Chipotle Mexican Grill and onto 6th Ave. just in time to see my friend Nancy walk into the Mailboxes, Etc. store across the street. The napkin I used to wipe my mouth could not remove my grin. I dumped my garbage in the can by the door, and walked across the street to surprise Nancy.

“Oh, Joe, what are you doing here?”

“I came to see you.”

“Let’s go eat some sushi and drink tea.”

We spent the next hour laughing and talking about Nancy’s recent pneumonia, burials at sea, Mike Bloomberg’s win in the NYC mayoral election, Buddhist retreats, and the YMCA where I teach the Water Exercise class that Nancy attends.

As we said goodbye outside the Japanese restaurant, I was aware of that smile again. It just spread across my face so easily.

I walked one block north, and then hurried to catch the bus I saw on the corner of 15th St. I caught up with a woman who was obviously hurrying to reach the bus as well. Just as we got to the corner, our ride pulled away. The woman frowned. But wait, the hybrid-electric MTA vehicle hit a red light! I stepped into the street, walked up to the bus and banged on the door.

“The driver is going to ignore you!” yelled my fellow traveler in typical New York fashion.

The doors swung open. I was not the only one smiling after that.

Ten blocks later I got off the bus and walked over to my office. My smile caught my attention as it flashed in the elevator mirror.

“Why am I smiling now?” I wondered.

“Do you need a reason?” came the response.

Amen.

Today I am grateful for the unexpected surprises that life always brings, rice and beans, hot tea, the sun, clouds, the moon and stars, the way things magically and effortlessly fall into place, baseball, my body and breath, friends and family.

Thanks and peace!

Joe

Photo by Sarah Sloboda, http://www.sarahsloboda.com