It’s that time of year. Babies everywhere. Innocence, birth, new life, beginnings, renewal. Such wonderful words. I want to take in the essence of thos words. I want to feel them deep inside. I want to savor the beauty of these moments.
I’m tired…really tired. I feel a tad off balance. We’ve been in Georgia less than three weeks and it has been nonstop since arriving and learning of daddy’s diagnosis. It doesn’t look like things will slow down any time soon.
During times like these, I must find a way to get grounded in order to notice the life and beauty around me. It is so easy to get swept away by the demands and emotions shouting for my attention.
Today, I set the intention to take in the little gifts surrounding me and to be grateful, despite how tired or overwhelmed I am.
Please share with me those things that delight you. It will encourage me.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Things that delight me:
Lily singing, dancing, and laughing.
My snuggly husband.
Ophelia the cat’s bountiful fur and obvious contentment.
Connecting and re-connecting with people.
Seeing a soaring hummingbird today.
Cooking and eating really good food.
Sunshine on my skin.
My astonishingly brilliant and loving friends. Like you.
May in Georgia when the hydrangeas are absolutely covered in blooms and everything looks fresh and green.
The smile and laughter of a child.
Being outside enjoying creation (when it isn’ suffocatingly hot)
Listening to the sound of a rain/thunderstorm from my screened in porch.
Sharing a meal and a good conversation with a friend.
Pedro riding in car with me to Atlanta
Road trips with Paul (to just about anywhere)
Being out in the sunshine or the rain
Having nothing to do but enjoy the day
Writing in the silence of the night
Reading in the silence of the night
Other peoples photography (especially yours)
Vintage stuff (buttons, stationary, aprons, jewelry, Airstreams)
When people (and animals) are expressing happiness
Meals with friends (at home, or a restaurant, or on a picnic…)
Knowing I can change my emotions in a moment by focusing on something more uplifting and inspiring, if I choose to.
Knowing that allowing my deepest, most uncomfortable emotions and feelings are serving me and the Universe as I release them and the life patterns they have drawn to me.
My soulful bliss remaining constant as my human sorrow and anger arise.
Cilla and Nelson lying on the bed up against my body, squinting kitty eye kisses at me.
Silence, solitude, a completely unscheduled day and an unplanned, unknown future.
Having absolutely no goals.
Gentle and reorganizing bodywork.
The sound of dolphins and whales.
Laughing.
Wholesome, healthy food from farmers I know.
Gentle rain, raging thunderstorms, gray skies when I am snuggled at home.
Remembering how devoted and truly present I was with both my Mom and Dad in the months before they were passing.
Experiencing devotion to another.
The unlimited possibilities I may choose to create.
The absence of dysfunctional relationships and attachments, awaiting a redefinition of meaningful connection to arise.
The sparkle in the eyes of another.
Knowing that I have a friend like you that listens to me when I need your ear.
Getting a massage, working out in the gym and oh yeah did I say friends.
Being able to get up each and everyday and know that today will be what I make of it, doing nothing or doing a lot, whatever my body and spirit allows.
Take some time to dream, and believe!
You guys are awesome. Thanks so much for all your wonderful words and sentiments. You did encourage me! I’ve saved all these responses into a folder for safe keeping. Thank you.
Meeting a neighbor as I canvass for the Census Bureau. Chatting with them and sharing how we are doing, how we came to live here, who we are, who we might both know.
Meeting my fellow Census workers when we turn in our work most afternoons and comparing experiences and encouraging each other and our crew leader.
Watching the kids next door and the other kids from around here play football or show off their best moves on their bicycles in the street.
Getting “Hi, Census Lady” from those same kids.
Watching Pumpkin, my cat, roll over on her back and curl her front paws under her chin and snooze on the floor of the computer room as I work, displaying her very furry belly in all it’s beauty.
Listening to the mourning doves whoo hoo-oo by my air conditioner in my bedroom window.
Having a crow caw and call as it flits to the top of the cross on the peak of the Baptist church around the corner.
Listening to the silence in between the notes in a drum circle. Drumming in a circle and sharing the moment without words with all the friends there.
Drumming until I drip sweat and still drumming.
Sharing on Facebook and realizing someone else totally gets what I meant! So much….talking to a friend on the phone and hearing them tell me they are all right and taking care of themselves.
Planting tomatoes with my friend the other night. Sitting on her porch afterwards. Petting her white shepherd Cleo as she revolves around and around us. Watching the baby squirrels run up to her daughter’s window to beg for more peanuts.
Live music from my friends’ 60′s band.
Throwing underwear when the lead singer sings “Delilah” like Tom Jones, with my friend, screaming all the while.
Greg, the lead singer, catching a bra in his hand and never missing a single note.
Choosing Cape May Diamonds from among the tons of quartz pebbles while standing in the surf at Sunset Beach, Cape May, near sunset, in April.
Spotting a large pod of dolphins off the end of the jetty at Sunset Beach, Cape May, in so close you could see their smiles and eyes when they playfully rose out of the waves and cavorted.
Buying the perfect rattle at the Holistic Fair last weekend.
Reading your blog.
Looking at your photographs.
*winning a card game with Tom and hearing him squeal
I just kicked his butt…ha!
*watching Lakoda gallop kicking his heals up the 3 hills with absolute joy of living
*knowing that today is the day the baby birds will take their first flight
*a full moon shining its huge face on us
* the little buds growing on my plants
*watching Virginia our pup lick Luke’s ears like a momma dog every morning
* hearing Tom play the guitar and sing softly into the night
*fog kissing the mountains in the morning
*drinking morning lattes with Tom and hanging out
* riding Lakoda with joy and connection
* freshly mowed grass
*spotting box turtles in the woods
*knowing our bear is alive after a rough winter
*my growing lillies
*loving my friends and family
*painting pics
*oh, there is just so much to delight in…….
What a sweet image and reminder of life’s never-ending ability to renew and restore. So sorry to hear about your father. Must have been a ‘reason’ that you moved back to Georgia..