I was taking a walk in my neighborhood. Ahead of me on the sidewalk, a young mother and her three year-old daughter were looking at leaves. I saw the little girl stoop to pick up something with her mittened hand. I came along just as she stood up, and she proudly showed me her treasure––a thin, gnarled stick. As I admired it, she announced, “It’s a snake’s tail!”.

I responded, “Wow, it’s your lucky day!”. As I walked on I realized it was lucky for me, too––to be reminded of how amazing reality can be when we let go of our expectations.