How we savor depends on what we savor. How I enjoy a book is different from how I enjoy a friend. But both require an investment of time and a high level of engagement.
Everything you said is helping me appreciating the wonderful and deep experience of my holidays, so I keep my mind, soul, body in the moment, not losing concentration in the daily chatting of life.
Grateful for being here, many greetings to everyone.
Since retirement, I have been spending a lot more time with friends. I adore them all, but in the past it was like fitting people in when I (and they) had time. It is lovely to just meet and talk without a time crunch. I did not anticipate this gift from retirement. I am deeply grateful and appreciative.
I can savor the beauty of nature by spending more time actively enjoying it-looking at the clouds, sky, sun, trees, birds, insects, and reflecting on their beauty, rather than simply walking past them without taking time to notice or appreciate them.
Breathing and living lovingly is what comes to mind for me today having lost a dear friend to lung cancer this week. It awakened me to her zest for life and serves me well to remember her and remember my own spiritual essence.
Shall I go out onto my balcony and enjoy the morning air and the 2 poinsettas that were left by the dumpster, and the plant my daughter gave me from her townhouse, and the little rosebushes I bought at the supermarket, [those are the ones with exciting new growth that I’m watering enthusiastically] or should I stay inside and leave the balcony to the dove who is nesting on it?
Yes. Interesting. I think last year’s ‘baby’ doves flew away in August.. yup – Aug 30. Eggs in a March 4 photo. Tiny baby on March 5. … Oh! 2 years of doves here – 2020 and 2021. A crow just flew at the dove on the nest. Then it sat on my balcony railing, but I scared it off. Bad crow! I think I’ll go out on my balcony now 🙂
Probably not, actually – the March ones were in 2021, but they got rained out of their nest in a big rainy windstorm. I think there were a baby and an egg., and I was surprised that I couldn’t find even a trace of baby or eggshell. Their new nest is closer to my condo and farther from the railing. I’ll post pics one of these days.
The best things for me in life are my family, nature, and good friends.
Taking more time to slow down and enjoy all three would help me to savor them more….being aware in that very moment I am IN at the time and not thinking of the past or future, but being right there…..it is so important….just that…..
I am learning to appreciate basic self care again. We all have the health that we have, but we can be glad for as much health as we have, and have habits to nurture our physical and emotional health. Even though it was so hot yesterday, I went for a long walk, and felt better for it, and slept better last night than I have been. It is a “best thing” because when you don’t have good sleep, life is certainly harder. Many things are like that – we can take things for granted until we don’t have it, but when it returns, then we feel how important it is.
This morning I woke rested and my husband and I talked in the pre-dawn light, just enjoying each other’s thoughts and company.
I enjoy things like creating a garden with plant divisions from friends and seeds saved from last year’s plants, and I love making crafts from materials that would otherwise go into the trash or recycling. I enjoy baking good bread and improving my skills at it. Yes, flour isn’t free but it’s cheaper than bread and it is the doing that is what makes it “best.”
I like learning and reading, too. I think it is the effort of making things, working, challenging myself, that makes it all worth while.
Creating music is another wonderful thing that is free, and sharing that music makes it two best things.
It is like I’m learning how to live again, how to savor the freedom to choose how I go about my day. If I work, I can work and not care, or I can care and make it special. I can walk past nature because that is where the path is, or I can notice life along the way. We saw a hummingbird out our window this morning, feeding on the trumpet vine!. It can be the same path, but very different experiences if we notice good things along the way.
And the people here are “the best things,” too. Good morning, everyone! 🙂
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THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE. HOW MIGHT I SAVOR THEM MORE?
Be present, be grateful and harnessing my peaceful warrior.
How we savor depends on what we savor. How I enjoy a book is different from how I enjoy a friend. But both require an investment of time and a high level of engagement.
THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE. HOW MIGHT I SAVOR THEM MORE?
Well said, thanks Mike
Put the phone down
Everything you said is helping me appreciating the wonderful and deep experience of my holidays, so I keep my mind, soul, body in the moment, not losing concentration in the daily chatting of life.
Grateful for being here, many greetings to everyone.
Slow down, engage all senses, appreciate.
By slowing down….breathing….and trying to stay in the present as much as possible.
By being aware of what they are—noticing
Since retirement, I have been spending a lot more time with friends. I adore them all, but in the past it was like fitting people in when I (and they) had time. It is lovely to just meet and talk without a time crunch. I did not anticipate this gift from retirement. I am deeply grateful and appreciative.
I can savor the beauty of nature by spending more time actively enjoying it-looking at the clouds, sky, sun, trees, birds, insects, and reflecting on their beauty, rather than simply walking past them without taking time to notice or appreciate them.
Breathing and living lovingly is what comes to mind for me today having lost a dear friend to lung cancer this week. It awakened me to her zest for life and serves me well to remember her and remember my own spiritual essence.
Condolences to you on the loss of your dear friend.
I’m sorry for your loss, Debra. I remember you lost your poor kitty recently, too. (((hugs)))
Yes, I did. And thoughtful of you to write and remember that. It’s been a little tough of late.
Reminded again of these wise words:
Just to be is blessing
Just to live is holy
-Abraham Joshua Heschel
Shall I go out onto my balcony and enjoy the morning air and the 2 poinsettas that were left by the dumpster, and the plant my daughter gave me from her townhouse, and the little rosebushes I bought at the supermarket, [those are the ones with exciting new growth that I’m watering enthusiastically] or should I stay inside and leave the balcony to the dove who is nesting on it?
haha, lovely!
I don’t think the dove will be sitting on an egg at this time of year. Is it a Mourning Dove?
Yes. Interesting. I think last year’s ‘baby’ doves flew away in August.. yup – Aug 30. Eggs in a March 4 photo. Tiny baby on March 5. … Oh! 2 years of doves here – 2020 and 2021. A crow just flew at the dove on the nest. Then it sat on my balcony railing, but I scared it off. Bad crow! I think I’ll go out on my balcony now 🙂
Oh, wow, so they really are nesting. How lovely! 🙂
Probably not, actually – the March ones were in 2021, but they got rained out of their nest in a big rainy windstorm. I think there were a baby and an egg., and I was surprised that I couldn’t find even a trace of baby or eggshell. Their new nest is closer to my condo and farther from the railing. I’ll post pics one of these days.
By starting with gratefulness and paying more attention
The best things for me in life are my family, nature, and good friends.
Taking more time to slow down and enjoy all three would help me to savor them more….being aware in that very moment I am IN at the time and not thinking of the past or future, but being right there…..it is so important….just that…..
Being right there… in the moment. Yes! Thank you!
I am learning to appreciate basic self care again. We all have the health that we have, but we can be glad for as much health as we have, and have habits to nurture our physical and emotional health. Even though it was so hot yesterday, I went for a long walk, and felt better for it, and slept better last night than I have been. It is a “best thing” because when you don’t have good sleep, life is certainly harder. Many things are like that – we can take things for granted until we don’t have it, but when it returns, then we feel how important it is.
This morning I woke rested and my husband and I talked in the pre-dawn light, just enjoying each other’s thoughts and company.
I enjoy things like creating a garden with plant divisions from friends and seeds saved from last year’s plants, and I love making crafts from materials that would otherwise go into the trash or recycling. I enjoy baking good bread and improving my skills at it. Yes, flour isn’t free but it’s cheaper than bread and it is the doing that is what makes it “best.”
I like learning and reading, too. I think it is the effort of making things, working, challenging myself, that makes it all worth while.
Creating music is another wonderful thing that is free, and sharing that music makes it two best things.
It is like I’m learning how to live again, how to savor the freedom to choose how I go about my day. If I work, I can work and not care, or I can care and make it special. I can walk past nature because that is where the path is, or I can notice life along the way. We saw a hummingbird out our window this morning, feeding on the trumpet vine!. It can be the same path, but very different experiences if we notice good things along the way.
And the people here are “the best things,” too. Good morning, everyone! 🙂
“notice good things along the way.”
Simple. Thanks Holly.
Yes, Holly – ‘appreciate basic self care’ – you’d think I’d have learned to do that long ago, at my age, but no, I’m still learning –