I find hearing particularly stills me: at the moment a wood pigeon, gulls and the ticking of a clock. When that stillness arises then appreciation and gratitude can enter.
I walked my dog with a friend this morning – cold and crisp, awake and air smelled fresh. Sunny and clear, saw the sea, and the fields. Watched a starling trying to steal somebody’s breakfast, it’s incredible vocal gymnastics were amazing – I kissed my dogs head and smelt his lovely head – we walked for an hour and a half, it was beautiful and we are lucky
It has been a memorable summer here. Flooding that has been the worst in living memory. Some areas have been flooded three times in about 6 weeks, making the clean-up all the more heartbreaking. The forecast is for a possible late season cyclone in the next week or two as well. I guess if anyone needs evidence of climate change … But what I see in this part of the world, notwithstanding the severe weather, I am still grateful. I guess if it wasn’t for the so called bad stuff, then we would not truly appreciate the good.
My eyes see the sun shining, my ears hear the birds singing, I can feel the heat of the sun on my face and can smell dog poop on the lawns 😉😁. Seriously, the arrival of spring brings a lilt to my walk. A smile to my face and appreciation of what is here and what is coming! Bbqs!
Had to come back and share a beautiful poem by adrienne maree brown that celebrates what our senses bring us in the spring that the northern hemisphere is now entering. She writes a column for Yes! magazine (published from Bainbridge Island, WA, so it feels like my “home” magazine since I live in Olympia and previously lived in Seattle, near Bainbridge). Full of positive journalism and well worth the read.
Murmurations: A Spell for the Spring Equinox
Let us remind the world
How many shades of green there are
How, together, we look like life itself
How tender the dirt gets in spring
Let us burst open, one multitudinous bud
Unfurled by that internal pressure of petal
Ripe, yes, and soft
You will learn to inhale us
Let us punch up from the earth, a lava
Bright and abundant dreams of tomorrow
Flowing molten and free
Turning ignorance to ash
Let us act like we got some roots
Know that we are held deeply
Even as we dance towards the golden breast of the sun
life delectable again
Let us remind ourselves
That life moves ever towards life
This is the season of our nectar
Beloveds this is the season worth the sting.
In the moments when I take the time to be still and take in all that surrounds me…in the morning especially I am grateful for the sunset I see, the fresh air I breath, the birds I hear and feeling each step along the path that helps me to start my day.
I am drawn to the image paired with the word of the day, of the two hands holding the very young chick. It takes me to a place of wonder and gratefulness for many things …
Today I will do my best to remember to experience the moments in and through my senses – the felt sense of the ground as I walk, the sounds of many birds, water, waves, the furnace … the cherry blossoms and orchestra of Spring flowers everywhere, the taste and smell of the tea, coffee, food we are fortunate to have to nourish us…
Thank you so much for this essential question and reminder, and for each of the thoughtful reflections …
My senses bring me things for which to be grateful if I pay attention, like the bird calls coming from all around our house this morning, the sunshine on the green trees, the warmth of my cat curled up on my legs. It requires more attention to recognize that I’m grateful for my senses themselves. I’m especially grateful for my eyesight. I wore glasses from the time I was 5 with extreme nearsightedness, had a radial keratotomy that only worked for a short time and gave me astigmatism as a side effect, then about 3 years ago had cataract surgery and remember what it was like to have the world getting dimmer and grayer. The cataract surgery gave me 20/40–good enough to function without correction, which was amazing in and of itself–and with glasses I’m 20/20.
I’ll add another sense people don’t always think of: balance. I get occasional vertigo attacks and have a friend who’s currently in her 4th week of suffering from them. Being oriented to the world around you and having a secure sense of which way is up is something to be grateful for!
I have been told that I have a very strong sense of hearing. As a musician for many years, that has been a true gift in playing in bands and orchestras, and singing along with others. While my hands are unable to play music anymore, I am grateful that my hearing is still quite strong. I love hearing all the little (and sometimes large) sounds outdoors, from the birds and in the woods. I listen to recorded music every day … good for the soul – and can pop out with lyrics quite unexpectedly, based on something said by another. I also enjoy walking in the woods and all the various scents which change with the seasons and the types of trees, and the particular scents of the beach.
The world of my senses opened to me this morning as I was present to them.
I remembered Helen Keller’s autobiography because it has been in my thoughts,. Now it took me to my breakfast. I could chew my food and swallow. I could smell, see and touch, and that took me to how and where the food was grown and where and who was involved.
These moments were profound.
It’s my interpretation of information that my senses give me. I’m attempting to choose gratitude. This has not been my habit. This choice is helping me live a more balanced life. There is darkness and light.
Dear Charly. Every day I am eager to reed what you have written. I like your down to earth, honest and practical view of life and yourself. After reeding your comments I feel good. It really is inviting to be grateful. Thank you
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My eyes. Being able to see the emotions of my loved ones make me grateful because it allows me to connect with them. It also also informs me.
I find hearing particularly stills me: at the moment a wood pigeon, gulls and the ticking of a clock. When that stillness arises then appreciation and gratitude can enter.
I walked my dog with a friend this morning – cold and crisp, awake and air smelled fresh. Sunny and clear, saw the sea, and the fields. Watched a starling trying to steal somebody’s breakfast, it’s incredible vocal gymnastics were amazing – I kissed my dogs head and smelt his lovely head – we walked for an hour and a half, it was beautiful and we are lucky
It has been a memorable summer here. Flooding that has been the worst in living memory. Some areas have been flooded three times in about 6 weeks, making the clean-up all the more heartbreaking. The forecast is for a possible late season cyclone in the next week or two as well. I guess if anyone needs evidence of climate change … But what I see in this part of the world, notwithstanding the severe weather, I am still grateful. I guess if it wasn’t for the so called bad stuff, then we would not truly appreciate the good.
My eyes see the sun shining, my ears hear the birds singing, I can feel the heat of the sun on my face and can smell dog poop on the lawns 😉😁. Seriously, the arrival of spring brings a lilt to my walk. A smile to my face and appreciation of what is here and what is coming! Bbqs!
embrace the white light
Had to come back and share a beautiful poem by adrienne maree brown that celebrates what our senses bring us in the spring that the northern hemisphere is now entering. She writes a column for Yes! magazine (published from Bainbridge Island, WA, so it feels like my “home” magazine since I live in Olympia and previously lived in Seattle, near Bainbridge). Full of positive journalism and well worth the read.
Murmurations: A Spell for the Spring Equinox
Let us remind the world
How many shades of green there are
How, together, we look like life itself
How tender the dirt gets in spring
Let us burst open, one multitudinous bud
Unfurled by that internal pressure of petal
Ripe, yes, and soft
You will learn to inhale us
Let us punch up from the earth, a lava
Bright and abundant dreams of tomorrow
Flowing molten and free
Turning ignorance to ash
Let us act like we got some roots
Know that we are held deeply
Even as we dance towards the golden breast of the sun
life delectable again
Let us remind ourselves
That life moves ever towards life
This is the season of our nectar
Beloveds this is the season worth the sting.
Thank you for sharing that poem, Barb C. It’s beautiful.
My senses, particularly my “good sense”, invite me to see clearly and promote all that is right and good in the world.
In the moments when I take the time to be still and take in all that surrounds me…in the morning especially I am grateful for the sunset I see, the fresh air I breath, the birds I hear and feeling each step along the path that helps me to start my day.
I am drawn to the image paired with the word of the day, of the two hands holding the very young chick. It takes me to a place of wonder and gratefulness for many things …
Today I will do my best to remember to experience the moments in and through my senses – the felt sense of the ground as I walk, the sounds of many birds, water, waves, the furnace … the cherry blossoms and orchestra of Spring flowers everywhere, the taste and smell of the tea, coffee, food we are fortunate to have to nourish us…
Thank you so much for this essential question and reminder, and for each of the thoughtful reflections …
My eyes delight in the view of the sky and the plants on my balcony as I sit here. That’s always the big one.
My senses bring me things for which to be grateful if I pay attention, like the bird calls coming from all around our house this morning, the sunshine on the green trees, the warmth of my cat curled up on my legs. It requires more attention to recognize that I’m grateful for my senses themselves. I’m especially grateful for my eyesight. I wore glasses from the time I was 5 with extreme nearsightedness, had a radial keratotomy that only worked for a short time and gave me astigmatism as a side effect, then about 3 years ago had cataract surgery and remember what it was like to have the world getting dimmer and grayer. The cataract surgery gave me 20/40–good enough to function without correction, which was amazing in and of itself–and with glasses I’m 20/20.
I’ll add another sense people don’t always think of: balance. I get occasional vertigo attacks and have a friend who’s currently in her 4th week of suffering from them. Being oriented to the world around you and having a secure sense of which way is up is something to be grateful for!
I have been told that I have a very strong sense of hearing. As a musician for many years, that has been a true gift in playing in bands and orchestras, and singing along with others. While my hands are unable to play music anymore, I am grateful that my hearing is still quite strong. I love hearing all the little (and sometimes large) sounds outdoors, from the birds and in the woods. I listen to recorded music every day … good for the soul – and can pop out with lyrics quite unexpectedly, based on something said by another. I also enjoy walking in the woods and all the various scents which change with the seasons and the types of trees, and the particular scents of the beach.
The world of my senses opened to me this morning as I was present to them.
I remembered Helen Keller’s autobiography because it has been in my thoughts,. Now it took me to my breakfast. I could chew my food and swallow. I could smell, see and touch, and that took me to how and where the food was grown and where and who was involved.
These moments were profound.
It’s my interpretation of information that my senses give me. I’m attempting to choose gratitude. This has not been my habit. This choice is helping me live a more balanced life. There is darkness and light.
Dear Charly. Every day I am eager to reed what you have written. I like your down to earth, honest and practical view of life and yourself. After reeding your comments I feel good. It really is inviting to be grateful. Thank you