Day 942 Souvenirs & Sunshine

Last month, while enjoying a sunny vacation in Miami, I stumbled upon a simple, refreshing habit that has since turned into an unexpected daily ritual. It all started with eating two fresh, juicy Florida oranges each day—something I never really thought twice about. After all, I’ve always enjoyed oranges, and they’ve always been a healthy snack. But somehow, this vacation habit stuck with me, and now, it feels like I can’t go a day without them.

It’s not just about the taste, either. There’s something magical about those Florida oranges. Their sweetness and tanginess are delightful, and when I enjoy them back home, it’s as though I’m bringing a little piece of Miami sunshine into my daily routine. It’s become a comforting reminder of the warmth and vibrancy of vacation, and honestly, I look forward to it every single day.

What started as a light vacation indulgence has evolved into what I can only describe as an addiction. I’m not sure I’d call it a bad one—after all, who can argue with the health benefits of fresh fruit? But it’s real, and it’s definitely delicious. It’s almost funny, though. While most people come home from vacation with a souvenir t-shirt or a magnet, I came home with something a little more unusual: a brand-new addiction to oranges.

It could be worse. I doubt any doctor would ever tell me I need to quit my two oranges a day habit, so I’ll happily stick with it. In fact, I like to think that all that fresh vitamin C is helping to boost my immune system and charge me with much-needed nutrients. And let’s be real: in a world where we have so many luxuries, it's a blessing to be able to focus on our wants as much as our needs. In the past, the idea of enjoying something like an orange in the winter months might have seemed like a rare treat, something that was hard to come by. Yet today, we can enjoy them year-round—and that's something to truly be  appreciated.

But wait, why not stack another habit!? I’ve become slightly obsessed with watching the eagle family I’ve been live-streaming from the comfort of my couch. I’ve got my iPad set up, as a second screen, and can’t get enough of watching these majestic birds care for their eaglets. There’s something mesmerizing about seeing the parents tenderly feed their babies. The third egg in the nest is still cracking, with a tiny beak occasionally peeking out. I thought for sure it would hatch by now, but it’s still working on its grand entrance. When it finally emerges, it’s going to have its work cut out for it—trying to keep up with two bigger, stronger siblings. Every day, I check in on them, eagerly watching to see what’s next in the saga of the eagle family.

And yes, I’ll admit it—this, too, has become an addiction. But you know what? I’m okay with it. We all have our habits, and for me, stacking habits has always been a way to enhance my routine. So, between eating my two daily oranges and checking in on the eagle family, I’m embracing these small rituals as part of my day. 

So here’s to habit stacking: oranges, eagles, and all the simple pleasures in life that make our days just a little brighter. Sure beats a t-shirt!