Sometimes it takes a while for me to really start appreciating what I have. And other times, although my appreciation is strong, it doesn't seem necessary to translate it into words, which sort of negates the need for a blog. You see my dilemma...
I am often silent by default. I have a mind which tends to 'skip to the end' so to speak. That is 'cut to the chase' taken to the extreme. My thoughts tend to have a sort of pointedness which causes me to look at a situation, see the essence of it, and race ahead to the furthest possible ramification of that.
That has its advantages certainly. But it tends to make conversation difficult with broader thinkers. Some see it as tunnel vision and doubt my ability to "see the forest for the trees". I don't think that is really so. I see the broader picture. In fact, I tend to see life itself in infinitely broader terms than most people do. But on any given subject, my thoughts just seem to bound onward to the 'point'. What does it mean to this situation that the picture is what it is?
But it does make the present moment appreciation of 'what is' more challenging. So I would like to cultivate a little more "stop and smell the roses" perspective.
Some people say "Life is a beach...and then you die" making a play on words to express their cynicism. But I think life is a beach. And then you move on to the next one. Which means to express my love of beaches and my complete and utter disbelief in the idea of death.
Hubby and I share a love of Mother Earth. We are never happier than when we are outside smelling the fresh air and being bathed in whatever light is on offer. I confess he has a greater tolerance for some of Mom's harsher moods than I do, but no matter.
We are both happiest when we are on a beach. Any beach will do, although we both have our favourites. And both of us adore Sombrio beach on Vancouver Island:
But he is a percher while I am a wanderer.He loves to just sit on a log, a rock, or whatever else is handy and soak up the sensations his present moment has to offer. The rhythmic pounding of the surf, the smell of salt water and evergreen trees, the feeling of moisture on his skin and the amazing vista before him; revelling in the here and now.
While he is doing that I will be wandering the beach taking pictures, like this one; picking up rocks and shells, rubbing sand between my fingers, stroking the velvet softness of driftwood and hoping to discover the treasure of cobalt beach glass. Always wondering what I will find beyond the next corner. Will it be a conference of noisy crows feasting on some dead thing, or a shell I've never seen before? What is there to discover beyond what is right in front of me?
This way of being has its own value. Curiosity is the mother of learning. And my curiosity is insatiable. But one of the things I have learned is the value of being able to see things from another perspective.
So I am asking myself if it might not be good to sit still for a while, and really revel in the beauty of my life? Perhaps it is time to make the effort to focus on my appreciation of the here and the now. To speak of it to others and really savour its deliciousness. In short, to milk it, for every ounce of joy it is meant to offer.
