connected.

          After two different trips to the Verizon store asking about “that thing, that cord thing that I could plug into my car, you know the one that lets me play music,”  and having no success at discovering what this “thing” was actually called, or at seeing this cord, let alone purchasing said “thing,” I resorted to asking my iPhone-savvy friend. She very quickly explained to me that it was called an Auxiliary cord, and immediately sirens in my head went off, “Ahh yes, that’s what A-U-X stands for on my stereo system. With a roll of her eyes at my sheer iPhone ignorance, she quickly deterred me away from a third Verizon trip, telling me to pick one up at Wal-Mart instead for half of the price. So, last week, that’s just what I did.

            If we are being honest here, the main reason I wanted this AUX cord was to gain the ability to blast my Justin Bieber and Adele Pandora app radio stations in my car. Eclectic taste in music, I know. But anyways, today I decided to forego my usual radio morning show listening and plugged my phone right in. On the way to work I opted to listen to the Adele station, enjoying her one-of-a-kind tone and inspiring, relatable lyrics. Her whit is as sharp as a knife and the sincerity in her songs is incredibly inspiring. And, HELLO, she is British. Of course I love her. The station also includes some of my other fav artists, including Sara Bareilles and Ron Pope. So, here I was, sitting in that same bit of traffic that caused me want to name the unhappy things in my life, but yesterday, well, things were a bit different. I was smiling. I was singing. Obviously, I was embarrassing myself in front of other fellow traffic commuters. But, I didn’t mind. In fact, I felt a bit sorry for them. They were probably listening to radio commercials while my AUX cord was permitting me to jam to the soulful sounds of Adele and the like.

            As I pulled into work, I was completely bummed. Instead of wanting to get out of the car, stretch my legs, and get my day started, all I wanted to do was remain in the confines of my little red Prius and use my fabulous new AUX cord to listen to some of my favorite songs. Because, that twenty-five minute commute was blissful. I’ve always enjoyed car rides by myself. To me, there’s no better time to clear your head and rest your mind. Some people say they do their best thinking in the shower, or before they go to bed at night, but I’ve always done my best thinking in the car. Open road, good music, no one to answer to, no other tasks to complete. Heck, I’ll sometimes even partake in an entire conversation with myself while driving. You want to talk about getting stares from fellow commuters?

            But yesterday, I was filled with joy during my commutes to and from work. On the way home, I chose to jam to the Justin Bieber station. And I was just as happy, just as blissed out as I was in the morning. It helped me to realize that gosh, even these little commutes, this little $9 auxiliary cord can make all the difference. They can add to my happiness. I never expected to find so much joy in just good music and a simple car ride. But, as The Biebs says, Never Say Never.