There are advantages to getting older. Really, there are! For me at least, with every passing year I'm better able to trust the cycles of life. Weather, seasons, moods, relationships, job situations, friendships and every detail that makes up my so-called life is ever changing, always unfolding - and usually to the better way, if I pay attention. My guess is that this is true in some way or another for you, too.
Even the difficult moments, the inevitable conflicts, confusions, illnesses and mistakes can be transformative. When I was younger, I could say the words, but I didn't believe it in my heart of hearts. Difficulty seemed like punishment to me, or at least unfair. What's unfair about life? Or maybe a better question is, what's fair about life? Well?
Right now the midatlantic spring is coming to a particularly delectable peak. This is the moment in the cycle of the year when the iris, tulips, azaleas and dogwoods reign over the landscape. Rather than rushing around like a maniac (which is my predisposition), my advanced age is helping me remember the importance of taking time to partake of the beauty of the passing season. It won't last.
Enjoy!
15 comments:
What amazes me is that these tulip bulbs remember how to come up looking just like this every year, having spent the winter dormant in the cold ground. I wish I was that predictable!
Beautiful
Like a full meditation in picture and prose--
All my love,
It does pass too quickly. Too often I find I've gone through a season and barely had it register, and there's something profoundly wrong with that. Some learn from those difficult moments, Reya...many do not. What they've shut themselves off from remains shut and unknown in their character. You are totally on the right path in slowing the wheels to enjoy the present.
I do believe that people do the very best they can. Sometimes their 'personal best' doesn't seem good enough to me. In fact, embarrassing as it is to admit, I've often judged others based on my own values.
Getting older is softening that. I think this is the blessing of the 50's, at least for me.
Oh - speaking of blessings, my sister Deborah (see above) is writing a haiku every day till Passover. I love this one. lol!!
On Passover we
opened the door for Elijah.
Now our cat is gone.
most of my 'baby' memories, stretching waaay waaay back, include sky, earth, sun, ocean-- interesting as I never really thought about it before. this post--thinking how flowers know the seasons,
we spend so much time looking out windows when we are indoors... every memory has a season attached even if we can't quite recall...
a memory of running as a toddler over hard packed earth, breaking ice on a puddle while the last leaves fall from that tree. pushing away dead leaves to expose a purple crocus,
collected shells on the beach, barefoot. A Sun ray coming through a window & watching the dust motes in the room pass through the ray of sunshine.
last day of school... running down the street, free! fresh air!
ps love the Haiku!!
Meeting difficulties, dancing with them is, for me, an act of devotion, some kind of prayer. Every difficulty presents opportunity, at least as I see it.
I've turned down many opportunities, that is, chose not to learn from my mistakes. I think that's OK. All part of this "precious existence" as the Buddhists say.
Beth Orton's song, Sweetest Decline is going through my head.
You and your sister should collaborate on a Passover Hagaddah, to include her haiku, your springtime photos, and original readings to tell the Passover story. It would be a lot better than many of them out there today!
Dennis lives a life of inevitable conflicts
Thanks, Barbara.
Dennis? I can relate!
The Haikus came to me via a friend, I'm just publishing one a day--wish it was original, but it is not
I could collaborate however : - )
Love you,
me
you're so positive about getting older! but i agree, there are def. advantages - more confidence, i feel more at east with myself.
and the seasons - yes!
i can't wait to see the DC dogwoods.
Lettuce, I'm not always positive about aging, I promise you!
The dogwoods will be done by the time you're here. But you'll get to see the roses. Oh! The roses!!
Maybe you'll see dogwoods in NYC.
Stop & smell the tulips! :)
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