My neighbour is wrestling with a bit of an issue at the moment.
Her husband has retired...and her work schedule gives them both a
lot of free time.
As I have mentioned many times, our little part of the world
is amazing in all that it offers abundance, both in the way of natural beauty and interesting things to see and do.
So the other day, Laurie asked me:
"If every day we either golf, go for long walks beside the lake,
pop into one of the numerous vineyards to chat with the wine-makers and taste a new wine...how do we keep life special?
If these are our every-day things, then nothing is going to be special again."
I think she has it backwards.
By being in this amazing environment, I think we are being given the opportunity to realize that LIFE IS SPECIAL...all of it.
Every morning, that cup of coffee I drink is delicious, sublimely delicious,
provided I stay in the moment and savour every sip. No matter that I have a cup of coffee EVERY morning of EVERY DAY.
So...the opportunity to walk our little golf course and play 9-holes as the sun is setting with my husband is GLORIOUS...no matter how often we do it, or how badly I play!
So what is the secret here?
How does this remain forever special?
Gratitude...pure and simple...
and keeping our hearts wide open...right V?
That's how you keep it special Laurie.
Yes, she should never feel guilty for having joyful and wonderful things surrounding her. After all that is what we seek. The trick is actually seeing them and not taking them for granted.
ReplyDeleteYou are right coffee is special every single sip of it every day. Now that I have far more control over my time I now know how truly special each day is even if I do nothing (which is rare).
ReplyDeleteMaybe they need to involve themselves in something like the food bank or the crisis hotline...after a few hours helping out with something like that you will be delighted to go back to your life of being special every day.
ReplyDeleteMBJ...these are not selfish people, and I apologize if I have represented them as such. This is one dimension of their lives that I have chosen to focus on.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I didn't mean to come off as judgemental....just wanted to point out that they are very fortunate. Somewhat clumsy of me, I agree.
ReplyDeleteMBJ...you didn't darling...no worries!
ReplyDeleteWhat great thoughts, Jacqueline. We get up in the morning and look at the forest that surrounds us (in the middle of the city!). That's a "Wow!" experience all on it's own.
ReplyDeleteThe point is to engage in in every experience of the day, even coffee (as you do). As I said on my "Life List," I try to "Live passionately."
Yes Rob Bear...I love this...live passionately!!!
ReplyDeleteThe secret, surely, is never to become blasé. Stay enthusiastic at all times!
ReplyDeleteI admire that they are finding ways to keep busy and enjoy one another. I think maybe making goals for themselves, trying things they've not done before, gardening or something like that may help to keep them moving in a positive direction...Just a thought...
ReplyDeleteYes, stay in the moment and make the most of it. Find the peace and joy in your life, do little complaining and laugh a lot. Most of all, have a good friend. There are dark times in everyones life; but they make us stronger and help us appreciate the good that we have.
ReplyDeleteI love my cup of tea.
I think I know what Laurie is saying - like if you had say fillet steak and champagne for every meal rather than an occasional treat - how do you appreciate it? J I suppose it's the little unexpected almost ordinary things in life which give me most joy.
ReplyDeleteI love all of you...yes, staying in the moment, keeping it real, not becoming blase, keeping the unexpected...all of this...and more!
ReplyDeleteYou've found the secret J...thankfulness, gratitude, appreciation...for the small daily things as well as the grand.
ReplyDeletexo J~
Jacqueline-
ReplyDeleteyou are so smart.
Laura
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