Quote of the day: “Wherever you go, there you are.” — Jon Kabat-Zinn
Pond Behind Our House - Reflections of Fall
This morning I looked out the bedroom window and noticed the wonderful early morning light creating wonderful reflections on the pond behind our house. I decided to head outdoors to make some photos while the light was great. I was amazed at the beauty I saw within a block of my home. It reminded me that I don’t need to go somewhere special to be who I am or to grow or learn or change.
For years before I was laid off, I imagined that if I could only take 6 months off to do what I wanted to do that my health and life would magically improve. Now that it has been almost six months since I was laid off, I’m here to tell you that there is nothing magic about being able to do what I want.
I still struggle with the same old health issues and all of the same baggage that I’ve carried around for years. It doesn’t just dissolve because I’m living differently. But I am learning to accept my limitations with more grace (I hope). After pushing myself to move more and exercise more and ending up with worse pain than when I was working, I learned that I need to listen to my body and accept my limitations.
The old saying, “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence,” has a lot of truth in it. I think we’re taught to escape when life gets uncomfortable. When I’m struggling with something in my life, I often want to leave. I imagine going to another country to live, or to Northern Minnesota, or Hawaii. Anyplace that’s not here. I imagine traveling the world. But no matter where I go, there I am. If I cannot thrive here, now, I’m not going to thrive somewhere else.
And I am learning that it’s not so bad being me right here, right now, with all of my faults and failings and gifts and blessings. All the good, the bad, and the ugly — the whole catastrophe! Radical acceptance.
I’m accepting the health stuff, taking shorter photo outings so that I don’t end up in severe pain, getting enough sleep, eating more veggies, accepting each day as it comes. And where I am right now, this moment, this day, is exactly where I want to be.
Here are some of the beautiful photos I took this morning. Blessings to you this day!
Crow High Up in Tree
Gnome in My Garden
Frosty Leaves in the Yard
Leaves in the Grass
Pond View - My Back Yard (See the robin on the log?)
Another Pond View
Walking Path Across the Street
Down the Hill - walking path
On Golden Pond - beside walking path
Little bit of morning mist on the pond
Mallard Duck on the Pond
Crab Apples Near Walking Path
Rusted Roof on Bird House
Bird House on Fence
Squirrel on the Wishing Well
Two Leaves
Red Leaves
More Red Leaves
Hydrangea Flowers
The Street Where I Live
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