Yesterday I went for a walk on the beach with my dog Greta, my partner Bonnie and her two dogs. We parked in the usual place and let the dogs out to play. Greta loves, loves, loves to play ball and I was somewhat focused on throwing the ball for her. Mostly though I was focused on a bunch of other things that have been on my mind this week. I was mindlessly throwing the ball for Greta and walking along looking at the beach rocks. There had been a recent storm and so there was much less sand and many more rocks. Mostly though I was mulling over all kinds of things that were on my mind and was just going through the motions of a beach walk with Greta. I wasn't even walking with Bonnie or paying attention to her dogs. All of a sudden I looked up and actually looked at the waves and the beach.
I was struck by how beautiful the waves were, the brilliance of the sky and the beauty of watching the seagulls. I was reminded that I moved to Kennebunkport many years ago because I thought it would be amazing to live right by the ocean. I watched the waves that were wind blown and beautiful, the crisp blue sky with a few light clouds and the joy of Greta playing with her ball.
What came to my attention most was how long I had been at the beach and never payed attention to all that beauty. How preoccupied I was with my own seemingly important stuff and had I not ever really looked up to pay attention I would have missed those amazing moments. Yikes am I spending too much time in another world and NOT paying attention to the here and now? It was a good wake up call and I was quickly reminded that I am much better off staying in the present and observing all the goodness and beauty in my everyday life. I would hate to think that at the end of my life I missed living in the present because I was too preoccupied with living in the past and the future. So at that moment I made a pledge to myself to put aside my worries and instead focus on the present and enjoy each moment as it comes!
Where are you living?
What came to my attention most was how long I had been at the beach and never payed attention to all that beauty. How preoccupied I was with my own seemingly important stuff and had I not ever really looked up to pay attention I would have missed those amazing moments. Yikes am I spending too much time in another world and NOT paying attention to the here and now? It was a good wake up call and I was quickly reminded that I am much better off staying in the present and observing all the goodness and beauty in my everyday life. I would hate to think that at the end of my life I missed living in the present because I was too preoccupied with living in the past and the future. So at that moment I made a pledge to myself to put aside my worries and instead focus on the present and enjoy each moment as it comes!
Where are you living?