Giving ourself what we need. -

I took my dog for a walk this morning on a path around a small lake. It’s a path we’ve walked many times before, usually seeing a great blue heron wading silently, a few ducks in the water, and the familiar bluebirds and sparrows in the trees. This morning was about the same. Nothing really new or out of the ordinary, though it was a bit unusual that we were the only ones on this path. So we just enjoyed the quiet.

Since it was such a pretty sunny and cool morning, when we completed the loop, we turned around and began walking it again, this time in a different direction. It wasn’t long before I heard a familiar call that I used to hear when I would visit a park 1,000 miles away. I followed the sound and there it was, a belted kingfisher, or “Elvis” bird as he’s sometimes called because of the unusual comb of feathers on top of his head.

“How cool,” I said out loud, because I love these birds and I hadn’t expected that. We went a few more steps and then spotted a hairy woodpecker (yes, there really is a species called that) busy flitting from branch to branch in search of grubs. Again, a bird not as common around these parts as other types of woodpeckers. It was a treat.

Had we not turned around and walked the same path again, we would have missed them.

How many things have I missed because I didn’t take a second look, or consider looking closer at what was going on? How many friends do we never meet because we’re too busy being too busy?

One joy of growing older is stepping to the side of the rat race and taking a deep breath. You still have responsibilities, bills to pay, appointments to keep, and so on. But you start to realize that everything goes as it should anyway, regardless of how fast you run.

And all that “time” you’re trying to save…what are you using it for?

Maybe now is when you stop going against the current…instead, flow with it. Pay attention to the natural rhythm of each day. If you must, schedule an appointment with yourself…to do nothing. Sit on the patio and listen. Lean back in a comfy chair and let your mind wander. Take a walk and really look around where you are.

The holidays are a time to think about adding more peace to your life. Seriously! Yes, there’s traffic and frustrated shoppers and too much sugar and really ugly sweaters….buy there’s also a wonderful stillness on Christmas Eve. A silence you can find that can touch your heart and remind you of all that is possible…and that does not require a phone, sports watch or ear buds.