Of course my life isn’t always as idyllic as this, and if it were, I’m sure I’d create some disequilibrium to keep me alert and growing. That’s what humans do. In fact I’ll be doing just that when I return home tomorrow. But for today, I’ll take the silence, solitude and simplicity.
What a day so far. I slept through the night, got up at 5:30, watched the sunrise, had my coffee and sticky bun, enjoyed my morning routine, and then, at 9 AM, I plopped myself down on the chaise on the deck, read for a bit and then napped in the sun. I’m now back from a walk up to the lighthouse and am eating my lunch of soup, broccoli, and avocado on rice cakes. Clear sun, 30 degrees, no wind, so I’m hoping for a pristine moonrise at 7:35 this evening.
Of course my life isn’t always as idyllic as this, and if it were, I’m sure I’d create some disequilibrium to keep me alert and growing. That’s what humans do. In fact I’ll be doing just that when I return home tomorrow. But for today, I’ll take the silence, solitude and simplicity.
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What do you say to the down-East’er who quietly but methodically helps you get your car out of his driveway at the end of a dirt (and icy) cul-de-sac after you’ve tried unsuccessfully to turn around? That was me yesterday, stuck on my way to visit some friends. I made the wrong turn, and there I was on this desolate summer-camp road. A car was in front of the house but it looked like no one was home, so after literally spinning my wheels, I cautiously started walking the quarter-mile, icy road to the main highway. I knew I needed help. And then there was help, diving up behind me. “I got up late this morning and looked out and saw your car. Hop in, I think I can get you out.” And with that he backed up the entire way, giving me instruction as we went. As I got into my car, he threw down some sand, told me where to back up and how to keep going forward, and voila, I was ready. But before I started, I called out the window, “Once I get going, I’m not going to stop, so, thank you.” (I didn’t take any photos, so here’s one of the moonrise last night.) This morning I was on the road by 5:45. Amazing the number of commuters already on their way, but they didn’t slow me down. I arrived here in time to brew a second cup of coffee and enjoy a sticky bun. Although I was a few minute too late to see the sunrise, but there was plenty on my walk today—not one cloud or even a suggestion of one. Sometimes I sit here on the deck imagining that I am watching a movie. But today all I have is one first prize photograph. I’m not certain that the following story has much to do with silence, solitude and simplicity, but random acts of kindness are always worth sharing and passing on. Yesterday, as I was purchasing a tiny ice cream cake at Friendly’s, the manager came to the register and told the clerk to give me a 15% discount. “Oh, how wonderful. What a nice celebration for my granddaughters 13th birthday.” I was effusive. “I tell you what,” responded the manager, ‘let’s just give it to you for free.” I was more effusive. Later in the dressing room at yoga I saw a penny on the floor. I asked the girl getting ready next to me if she needed any luck? “Take the penny, I’ve had mine today.” I told her about my good fortune at Friendly’s and that I was passing it on. She was effusive. Um, I wonder where the story is now? I bet she passed it on. Today was the kind of day I dream of having up here—living in the present, in the NOW, with no obligations. But then when it comes, I have to do some adjusting. It’s hard work staying in the present moment; I’m reminded of how we don’t always want what we want. It is 4:30 as I begin to write; so far I have allowed the day to flow—very little planning, more acting on the whim of the moment. Of course, being a routine kind of person, I did some of the usual; up at 5:30, coffee, sticky bun (from Sturbridge via the freezer), reading, thinking, watching the clouds in front of the sunrise, email, oatmeal, jigsaw puzzle, more reading, more watching. The impulse of the moment found me napping at 10:30 and taking a walk at 3, two activities I didn’t plan in advance. They just happened. It doesn’t sound like much, but is big as far as living in the NOW is concerned. Most freeing of all was that I didn’t look at my email all day after closing it down at 8:30 this morning. I know, I know, I started that habit a few weeks ago, but then only followed through for two days-- hardly habitual. Once again I’m aware of how hourly email keeps me away from the silence, solitude and simplicity that I so long for and that have the opportunity to experience up here. When I go home tomorrow I’ll be planning and checking but I’m hoping that occasionally I can enjoy living the NOW. Plenty of seaweed has washed up on the beach since my last walk a week ago. It comes and goes, like all of life. One day the beach is clean, the next day, a mess. Same with my house, my desk, my closet. You name it.
Today, for the first time in my three years here, I came across two dead birds—not one, but two. One, probably a merganser, on the sand; the other, hard to identify, on the path along the walkway. It got me wondering where the ducks and gulls go when their time is up… and how do they die…and do their companions even notice when they are gone? For sure, we humans honor the dead. By the end of the day on Saturday I will have spent three out of the last five Saturdays attending a funeral. All Christian, all different denominations; all the same, all so different. Life comes and goes. I’m grateful that I can come to my cottage by the sea for silence, solitude and simplicity and sit in the mystery before I go out again. |
Contact me: bobbifisher.mac@mac.com
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