Sometimes A Most Perfect Thing Is Only Seen By Accident
A crystal drop of water – where did it come from – it appears to have no companions. Is it a sole survivor from an earlier rain? How beautiful it is in its perfect shape, mimicking a lovely jewel.
For me it is a reminder of perfect moments in life that go unnoticed, sadly so. The rushing, the stress, the busy-ness of our modern lives cheats us of the most significant awareness of our surroundings, our relationships.
My life on this island has changed me and given me the opportunity to become more aware of my surroundings. Writing about the things I now notice now makes up most of the content of this blog. And as I notice, I learn, not only about my surroundings but about myself and how to live in a much better way than I did in that former life environment.
I wonder as I remember my former life:
“Did I not notice the welcoming smile on a friend’s face as I sat staring at my phone?
Did I not hear the first early morning bird song as I fretfully wrote my “to do” list for the day?
Did I miss the aroma of the fresh cut grass as I power-walked in the morning?
Was I not aware of the gift of that person’s sharing of a personal story as I thought about what my unsolicited advice was going to be?
This morning as I walked, mask in place, and practicing social distancing I did not miss the chance to say “Good Morning”, or “Buen Dia”, to everyone I passed. I greeted the workers on the beach by name, and they responded in kind. The ocean was calm, with the appearance of a clear tranquil pool, allowing me to see it in a different perspective and to feel its strength as a reservoir of serenity. I felt its calm, and its value of serenity.
I watched a small dog running gleefully ahead of its people entering the water with joyful leaps and I smiled and felt its gleeful energy.
I stopped to look at the tracks of the large crane who visits the beach early in the morning and who is usually invisible by the time I arrive. I have seen it only 3 times and it is a commanding sight.
I returned home filled with a sense of being fully alive. Even in this time of Covid isolation the “noticing” is a gift.
Today’s email offerings included the current newsletter from Rob Walker, the author of The Art of Noticing: 131 Ways to Spark Creativity, Find Inspiration, and Discover Joy in the Everyday. The book is described on Amazon as “An imaginative, thought-provoking gift book to awaken your senses and attune them to the things that matter in your life.”
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I love this Judith. I have been on a mindfulness journey for the last couple of years, learning to appreciate the moment. I found your blog through a comment you left on Leanne’s Cresting the Hill. I’m so glad I did.
Welcome Christie Thank you for stopping by.The skill you are developing is so important as part of living an authentic life, and, I believe, is much more so during this Covid time. Please visit frequently and share.
Hi Judith – I thought I’d pop over to check out your blog after your lovely comment on mine. Where you’re living sounds amazing and I couldn’t agree more about the sheer joy of having the time to notice the small things. All those years of juggling family, work, chores, leisure….. and I barely took time to breathe, let alone inhale deeply and feel that innate sense of peace. I don’t think I will ever sacrifice that again – once you’ve had it, it’s very hard to imagine living any other way.
Hi Leanne, Thank you for sharing. “Sheer Joy”, Yes,, and the time to feel it. We are so lucky to have found it.
I need to figure out a way to shed my nasty anxiety and to be fully present in the moment in the way that you describe in this post. Thank you so much for this. Maybe just more practice?
Hi Leslie, No magic secret but certainly “Breathing” helps . I have studied QiGong for a long time and my early morning walk includes pausing to do simple balance and breathing exercises. Look up this video for a simple breathing technique which takes less than 20 seconds. Breathing Technique with Dr. Ben Rosen
I, too, have learned to pay more attention to my surroundings. Whereas I used to fly on my walks in order to get back and start my busy day. Being retired has taught me to gear down, slow down, take in the beauty of the flowers, the sea, the beach…..I’m on no schedule now, I’m free! And, yes, it’s okay to stop and say hello to my fellow early morning walkers. Being at peace with my self and my environment is truly a blessing for me. I didn’t learn all this overnight…….4 years to be exact.
Yvonne, Are we are becoming wise, as well? It takes so long to give this gift to oneself !!