Roses

Do you ever stop to smell the roses once in a while?

 

Do it. More often.

We were dog-sitting last weekend, and on sunny Sunday morning I took him out for a nice quiet walk (without the kids).

I needed a break from the circus in my house.

At the neighborhood park down the street, I met a friendly woman who also happened to be a fellow New Yorker.

So, as you can imagine, we got to talking and it felt good to connect to her.

It seemed like she needed the conversation.

I'll confess: at first, when I noticed her walking up to me (we were the only two people that early morning in the park), I thought,

“Oh shit. Here goes. I have to be nice.”

But then I immediately realised how much of a bitch I was being inside and I chose to instantly take off those 'bitch specs' and gave her my full open and undivided attention.

I just cleared my ears, cleared my mind, relaxed my face, and started to listen to her.

I'm usually the one doing the talking (because I'm an extrovert and I like to be the life of the party), but this time I just let myself take it all in.

The green plush grass, the warm sun, that light breeze, and this very interesting 65+ year old woman. She had a lot to say about life. And I think she really loved the happenstance that I was also a fellow New Yorker. Even from the same neighbourhood!

She seemed like she lived a lonely life and just needed some company for a few minutes. And we ended up chatting for about thirty minutes.

What did I get out of this?

Well, as cheesy as it sounds, it's the simple things in life that make a difference for me. 

People say, "Don't sweat the small things in life." 

Yet, it's the simple things that can lift us up and open our eyes and our hearts.

And that's how children live. Every day. They live through their days moment to moment. Event to event. From one hug, one smile, one laugh to the next. 

After that chance encounter with this former fellow New Yorker, I felt so much gratitude and appreciation for bumping into her. I felt so much more aware of who I am, why I choose the things I choose, and how I want to move forward in my life. 

That clarity gave me a burst of energy and happiness. What drug does that for you? Hmmmmm, not one.

Living life in the moment, allowing yourself to have your heart, eyes, and mind open - that's all within your natural abilities. 

Tap into that inner child of yours. 

Practice it.

Treat yourself.

Smell the coffee.

Or the roses.

Let the inner bitch be there when you need it to, but then also be willing to let her go.

Oh, and guess what? Yup.