Right Now, Right Here

This morning as I usually do, I sat to meditate before beginning my daily routine. I listened to a guided meditation by Tara Brach. In it she encouraged me to simply be here…

Right Here, Right Now.

As usual my mind wanted to wander off into what if’s and why’s and should I and why didn’t I. And I just kept coming back to my breath and body in the present moment.

Afterwards I was feeling a little bit of “poor me” as I began to think about the day ahead. I had planned to take a day trip to Jay Cooke State Park today but a combination of poor sleep, a sore throat, and some digestive discomfort convinced me that today was not the day for a day trip. Then I looked out the window beside me and took in the view of the backyard — right here, right now. And it was beautiful to my eyes.

Beauty Carries Me

We all probably have habitual squirrel tracks we run around in our minds. But taking just a moment to notice what is around us right here, right now can bring great joy and gratitude. Sometimes when I go for a hike the beauty of it all carries me further than I thought I could go.

I think that when I am out in the woods with my camera is when I feel most at home in the world. And I believe that a large part of that feeling at home is the presence I feel in each moment. Instead of thinking, thinking, thinking, I am just being, filled to the brim with all the beauty I am experiencing.

Invitation

Oh do you have time
to linger
for just a little while
out of your busy

and very important day
for the goldfinches
that have gathered
in a field of thistles

for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note,
or the lowest,

or the most expressive of mirth,
or the most tender?
Their strong, blunt beaks
drink the air

as they strive
melodiously
not for your sake
and not for mine

and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude –
believe us, they say,
it is a serious thing

just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in the broken world.
I beg of you,

do not walk by
without pausing
to attend to this
rather ridiculous performance.

It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:
You must change your life.

   — Mary Oliver

Wishing you a beautiful day right here, right now.

May you walk in beauty.

Note: Most of today’s photos from a short walk at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Tuesday.