Monday, June 7, 2010

A Well-Lived Day


Look for this day, for it is life, the very life of life. In its brief course lie all the realities and verities of existence.
The bliss of growth, the splendor of action, the glory of power.  And yesterday is but a dream, and tomorrow is only a vision.  But today--well lived--makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.  Look well, therefore, to this day.
       --Sanskrit proverb--

A well-lived today!!!  How many of us can honestly say that we live each day well?  I try my darndest, but, I'll admit it,  sometimes that's just not enough.  Things happen.  The unexpected.  And life has gotten faster and faster.  We do more and more--both a work and at leisure.  It's almost as if there is a competitiveness about who is going to be the busiest person.  Don't get me wrong.  There is nothing wrong with being busy.  It is a natural rhythm of life.  The problem comes when we increase our activities to a high level and try to maintain it long term at an unsustainable level.

That's when we fall out of balance with the natural world, out of balance with the natural rhythm of the earth.  When we live in cities, as I do, we spend much of our time in offices, and it is easy to get out of balance with the natural world. Especially here in New York.  We've got a reputation for being fast-paced, and live here long enough, and it rubs off on you...no matter where you were born, it is just far too easy to get caught up in the materialism and modern day society and need that we need to be busy to sustain this way of life.  

I know, myself, I consciously have to tell myself to slow down when I find myself speeding up.  Of course, that's gotten easier now that I've grown older and don't move as quickly as I once did. But, I can still catch myself walking down the street sometimes, my mind on something that happened at work or the things that I have to do when I get home, instead of paying attention to the beauty that surrounds me.  Work is something that I have to do.  We have to survive, but there are certain things I try to do on a daily basis to harmonize with the rhythm of the earth. I make it a point to get out in the fresh air every day...even if it is only for five minutes each day to breathe in the air and take in all the beauty around me.

And speaking of beauty.  This is one of those days that you really do not want to be inside.  It's cool and refreshing after a hot, humid weekend.  The storms predicted last night did not occur, but it grew so windy, it was almost like a fall night. 

Tornados are rare here, but we do get them once in awhile.  The last one was in 2008 not too far from where I live.  It pulled trees up from the roots, overturned cars, and pulled some roofs off, but fortunately, there were no deaths.


Hoping you all have a well-lived day.

 

7 comments:

  1. Can hummingbirds really get nectar from Scottish thistles? Who knew?

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  2. Yes, let's leave the Whizzzzing-About-Like-A-Hummingbird, to Hummingbirds.

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  3. A well-lived day - what a perfect attitude to out with into the world. That will be my project today. Thus-far it's been fabulous. A walk by the river, time in the garden, snuggles with the cats, and now leisurely off to work.

    Hope you have a fabulous day Mary!

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  4. The busy rhytm of life makes it almost imposible to appreciate the msall things in life. You know, the little things that make life worth living, but don't make fuss. It's sad really. Many of us have lost the focus, I'm afraid.

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  5. Happy well lived day to you too :) x x x

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  6. ~a wonderful thought for us all...l♥ve it mary...a well lived day. as you said it is ever so easy to get caught up with all that is happening, i am guilty of such. i do try to slow myself and savor the moments around me...as i do not like feeling the pressure of having so much on my plate...i do much beter with ease...thank you for this thought! warm wishes and brightest blessings~

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  7. I wonder why it is in the city that people are always so busy? When we go to the city for shopping, people are moving like they are late and never make eye contact or a smile. Yet living outside of the city folks don't seem to hurry, make eye contact, wave and smile at each other. Everybody seems to think they "have" to get things done, when to be honest there isn't really anything that "has" to be done. Life is short, enjoy everyday. Wishing you a terrific day Mary!

    (((HUGS)))

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