TODAY'S BLOG IS A REPEAT OF MY DAILY POST ON MY AUTHOR PAGE (FACEBOOK.COM/NORTHFLORIDAWRITER). IT IS A REMINDER OF THE BEAUTY WE MISS IN LIFE WHEN WE GET SO WRAPPED UP IN OTHER THINGS.
THE JOYS OF THOSE THINGS AROUND US
As a writer, I enjoy taking the time to look about me at the wonders of the world. Unfortunately, since I only started writing seriously in retirement, I have a lot of beauty and interesting things that I missed to catch up on. Sometimes it's just the simplest things that are the most beautiful and meaningful, but if we never pay attention, we miss them.
Take this morning on our rural property as an example. As I walked to the barn and looked about, the sky in the east was turning from rose-colored to gold through the pine forest, starting to melt off the rather heavy fog that had settled over night. Looking skyward, I could see that the sky was crystal clear and blue above the fog bank which rose no higher than fifty feet.
As I turned on the barn lights, the horses at the fence in the meadow voiced their breakfast call, their whinnies warning me not to forget them. Beyond them roamed a family of deer and a large flock of turkeys. I realized I was so blessed to live in a place that offers such joys as watching wildlife in a natural setting, so personal and up close to our horses.
Then the call of the birds began, waking from their peaceful slumber as the sun was beginning to emerge. An eagle circled above with a young eaglet, likely being taught to hunt for his meal in the early morning. That reminded me just how hungry the horses were after a long night so I brought them in and fed them, the barn cats and our two outdoor Great Pyrenees as well, and also paid a visit to our resident chickens and Koi, feeding the fish and fowl and enjoying watching them scamper or swim about for their little morsels.
When all was completed, I wandered back into the house, poured a fresh cup of coffee and pondered all that I had missed during my working years. The worst part about it was I didn't even think about it because it just didn't cross my mind. I was totally focused on the task at hand. Focus is truly important, but it's also important to take time to enjoy the small things about life that add so much to it.
Why do I write about this? Hopefully, for others who haven't reached my station in life they can avoid the same mistake that I made. And even those who have entered retirement like me, if you don't realize what you are missing, take that time to smell the roses. You'll be glad you did. After all these years, I know that I am.
THE JOYS OF THOSE THINGS AROUND US
As a writer, I enjoy taking the time to look about me at the wonders of the world. Unfortunately, since I only started writing seriously in retirement, I have a lot of beauty and interesting things that I missed to catch up on. Sometimes it's just the simplest things that are the most beautiful and meaningful, but if we never pay attention, we miss them.
Take this morning on our rural property as an example. As I walked to the barn and looked about, the sky in the east was turning from rose-colored to gold through the pine forest, starting to melt off the rather heavy fog that had settled over night. Looking skyward, I could see that the sky was crystal clear and blue above the fog bank which rose no higher than fifty feet.
As I turned on the barn lights, the horses at the fence in the meadow voiced their breakfast call, their whinnies warning me not to forget them. Beyond them roamed a family of deer and a large flock of turkeys. I realized I was so blessed to live in a place that offers such joys as watching wildlife in a natural setting, so personal and up close to our horses.
Then the call of the birds began, waking from their peaceful slumber as the sun was beginning to emerge. An eagle circled above with a young eaglet, likely being taught to hunt for his meal in the early morning. That reminded me just how hungry the horses were after a long night so I brought them in and fed them, the barn cats and our two outdoor Great Pyrenees as well, and also paid a visit to our resident chickens and Koi, feeding the fish and fowl and enjoying watching them scamper or swim about for their little morsels.
When all was completed, I wandered back into the house, poured a fresh cup of coffee and pondered all that I had missed during my working years. The worst part about it was I didn't even think about it because it just didn't cross my mind. I was totally focused on the task at hand. Focus is truly important, but it's also important to take time to enjoy the small things about life that add so much to it.
Why do I write about this? Hopefully, for others who haven't reached my station in life they can avoid the same mistake that I made. And even those who have entered retirement like me, if you don't realize what you are missing, take that time to smell the roses. You'll be glad you did. After all these years, I know that I am.
RSS Feed