“Everything’s a hammer.” She smiled at the random thought.. a saying her father used to share, reminding her that tools are what you make of them. Like oh look, I have a ten-hammer collection… um yeah, that’s not a real thing. I can show up and actually produce something with anything.

Ooh, like you think that’s funny… yeah, I’m a girl who likes couches… keep standing up then. She chuckled at her absurd inner monologue. Perhaps she needed to stop taking herself so seriously.

“I’m the contributing factor now. Therefore, I determine the future.” She declared resolutely, setting the brush down and heading toward the bathroom to get ready. As she showered, the cold water washed away the lingering traces of doubt.

Yeah this is freezing who does this.

You can know… The affirmation came to her as she emerged refreshed. You won’t know… But maybe that was okay. Maybe not knowing was part of the journey. She selected an outfit that made her feel confident… a tailored blouse and her favorite skirt. She took extra care with her makeup, not to hide herself but to enhance the features she liked.

I want that. She glanced out the window once more while preparing breakfast, noticing the way the sunlight caught the solar panels on neighboring buildings, the gentle rotation of wind turbines in the distance. There was beauty in the world, if she chose to see it.

Seeing the solar panels glinting amid the rooftop greenery and the wind turbines turning in the breeze… it’s like watching the city breathe in harmony with nature… homeostasis…