Savoring What Is

On a recent morning I looked out my bedroom window and saw a Canadian goose standing on the lawn, 3 mallards lazing on the banks of the pond, 2 wood ducks resting near a log at the edge of the pond, wonderful tree reflections in the pond, and a crow flying from a tree beside the pond to an evergreen tree that grows close to our house. ALL THIS IN A 3-SECOND GLIMPSE!

I felt a giddy lift of happiness with every flap of the crow’s wings. Even though I only had a moment to spare, the wonder of looking out my window for that moment and seeing all this filled me with a sense of gratitude and grace.

During my morning meditation earlier the same day, Gracie, my cat, crawled into my lap to gaze out the window while I meditated. Soon she was making funny cat stalking sounds and meows as 2 robins flew from branch to branch in the evergreen just outside the window. Later 2 tiny female goldfinches flitted from twig to twig very near the window, causing more Gracie sounds.

The warmth of cat in my lap, joy in hearing cat-sounds and bird-song, wonder in the tiny perfection of the birds, and beauty of the robins filled my heart to over-flowing. Gifts like these are always there to be savored, tiny moments of sacredness during a busy day.

I’ve been thinking about seeing. There are lots of things to see, unwrapped gifts and free surprises. The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But—and this is the point—who gets excited by a mere penny? …if you crouch motionless on a bank to watch a tremulous ripple thrill on the water and are rewarded by the sight of a muskrat kid paddling from its den, will you count that sight a chip of copper only, and go your rueful way? …if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted in pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. What you see is what you get. — Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

Often, I am unable to do everything I would like to do in my life due to various pain issues or illness, but when I gaze out the window and see the green things growing and the wild birds swimming and flying, I feel rich beyond belief.

I sometimes feel a little Pollyannaish as I focus on the beauty and grace that surrounds me everywhere I look. But the beauty IS there in each moment. Slowing down to savor what is, is one of my favorite spiritual practices. I take refuge in these glimpses of grace and sacred moments.

“There are no un-sacred places. There are only sacred places and desecrated places.” — Wendell Barry

When was the last time you took a moment to savor what is? When was the last time you felt all fizzy in your stomach with giddy delight because of a sight, scent, sound, taste or touch? Maybe it’s time to slow down and savor.

May you walk in beauty.

A lone biker surrounded by spring green on the hiking path near my house

Reflections, sticks and tiny green plants in water

My favorite clump of basswood trees in the park near our house

Apple blossoms ready to burst open

Ferns unfurling

Wood ducks create v-shaped wake in the pond beside the hiking path