To Be...in city life

Hello Hatters,

Yesterday, I received a challenge to just "be." I admit it is hard for me to be, to be still. A suggested exercise in breathing for clearing the mind is still an action. Right? Can anyone really just be? This phrase probably means different things to different people, so feel free to comment.

I took up the challenge this morning in my backyard. I sat, I took breaths, I watched birds, and I saw air force planes fly overhead. Leaves in the breezes entertained and a squirrel taunted my dog. Living on a busy street corner lot afforded many different sounds that are just second nature to me, so just "being" aware of the sounds may be a good challenge for me. OK, maybe I'm missing the point if I'm to be still yet I'm challenged. I'm side tracked. So here are some of my observations: a passing car desperately needs a new muffler; the revving up of the loud motorcycle engine moves across the intersection; the barking dog several houses down wants something; the distinct tweet of the sparrows in my vines and my mind questions if they are communicating with one another; the difference in sounds between my wooden wind chimes on my porch and then the quieter pipe wind chime in the oak tree; the rushing of an ambulance to someone in need; the jingle of my dog's tags as he sniffs around; the puff of my husband's portable oxygen machine as he plays Candy Crush in his lounge chair.

Then the colors in my backyard and neighboring yards are so vibrant this time of year, I started to notice the yellows, oranges, maroons, browns and greens. In my being still, my eyes were busy. Honestly, if just quieting my body is helped by distractions of nature, I'll take it. Ears and eyes and thoughts are running rampant but my physical body is gently swinging and very relaxed. This is nice.

Now I'm inside my house and my mind wrestles with sharing this experience with you. How can you step into this "being" with me? I don't suppose you can but I hope you've enjoyed some of the images that I've experienced and shared.

If being still is be a form of resting, I know I don't do that enough and you probably don't either.

How about a nap?

Hugzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz,

MT