A beautiful Day

A pessimist sees only the dark side of the clouds, and mopes; a philosopher sees both sides, and shrugs; an optimist doesn't see the clouds at all - he's walking on them.--Leonard Louis Levinson

Wow, it sure is going to be hard going back to work.  I am really getting used to this...doing as I please, when I please...napping whenever I feel like it, lying around, reading.  Some people love to pack up and go places.  Not me.  I love to stay in the comfort of my own home. It wasn't always this way. At one time, I used to love getting away, but now I am older, and years of full-time work is taking its toll.  Why, in the old days, I'd be able to retire, but not now.  Heck, the way prices are skyrocketing, I have to wonder if I ever can retire.


Did something a little different today.  My son got back from Michigan sometime late during the night, and because he is sleeping in, there went my early access to the computer.  So I got dressed and went for a walk...a long walk, actually.  I had a package to mail at the post office, and that is a whole subway stop away, but rather hot on the train, I figured I needed the exercise.  In fact, I am trying to push myself more and more into doing things.  This weight really causes my knees to ache and sometimes even makes me short of breath.  


It is an incredibly beautiful day...the temperature is in the low 70's, and a fresh, crisp breeze.  One of those perfect days that has been a long time getting here. I loved it; actually, I loved it so much I decided to walk back home as well, but by the time I got to the park a few blocks from my home, my knees had started, and I had to stop to rest...and I am glad I did. It was really nice being out in the fresh air; the birds were singing, and the park was relatively quiet.  Off in the distance, the storm clouds were gathering, but right above me, the sky was blue and the clouds white and fluffy...perfect for cloud watching.

Clouds...so soft, white, and puffy, seemingly so far away. There is something about them that brings one such a sense of peace and serenity as they move effortlessly across the sky, providing us us with a whole realm of images....hearts, faces, a little puppy dog with fluffy white ears. Sometimes you have to look at very closely them and try to convince yourself that you are seeing what you want to see while others jump right out at you leaving you with no doubt of what you are seeing.  When I was a child, my friend, Kathleen, and I would lie in the grass and stare up at the sky for hours, making  up stories about the clouds that passed over  by and dissipated before our eyes or changed into something entirely new.  Ah, the sense of childhood wonder!!!! Where had it gone?  Why do we let it slip away?

For me, I sometimes stop to look up at the sky as I reflect on my thoughts after a busy day at work. I don't do it often, but sometimes after I get off the subway, a cloud shape in the sky will capture my attention and stop me in my tracks; once in a hurry to get home, I take a few moments to marvel at the beauty so many miles above me, those wonderful marvelous clouds, and although I may not see a fluffy white bunny anymore, my cares and worries simply seem to float away. What a wonderful universe!


Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars... and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole existence is joyful.  Everything is simply happy.  Trees are happy for no reason; they are not going to become prime ministers or presidents and they are not going to become rich and they will never have any bank balance.  Look at the flowers - for no reason.  It is simply unbelievable how happy flowers are.  ~Osho