My husband and I went walking together today. I was looking around for something to write about and found it on our second lap. We find what we most expect to find.
I’ve written about a magnolia tree by my house before, and once again it is in full bloom. The flowers are beautiful and fragrant. I have to stop every time I pass for a quick, up-close look and sniff.
Hubby went walking with me last week and we both stopped to smell them. Today, I stopped for a few seconds, thinking he might stop too, but he kept going. I caught back up to him in no time. Instantly, I saw the metaphor I was looking for. Actually, this brought out three important reminders.
It only took me a few seconds to stop and smell the magnolias and then quickly get right back in step with my hubby on our walk. I lost no time in the big scheme of things, but I had that added nature experience on our walk.
We may feel like we don’t have time for things like stopping to smell flowers or pausing to view a sunrise or sunset, or taking the scenic route home. Even if we did, we may decide that a brief detour would be inconsequential anyway, so why bother.
Gathering moments of delight and wonder throughout each and every day do add up in big ways to our overall well-being, our self-care, and gratitude for life itself.
Life is a treasure hunt with daily gifts along the way, if we’re looking for them, and if we’re willing to take the time to appreciate them.
A reader I’ve come to know and appreciate has a knack for taking incredible nature photographs. I told her recently, “Nature dances for those who are watching.”
She is one, like many us, who is always watching and expectant. Naturally, she finds many things to delight in that others could easily overlook, because it's meaningful to her.
How we spend our time reveals our true priorities. Goals and intentions are great, but what we actually do today and every day reflects our true value and is what determines our quality of life—the richness of our journey. Yes, even if that happens four seconds at a time. A life-long memory can be created in even less time than that.
I’ve adapted a new mantra lately: be curious. I am often too quick to judge a person or a situation, based on what things look like through my own filter. Instead, I decided to be curious as to why my hubby didn’t want to stop to smell the magnolias. I learned a few things.
I learned he doesn’t want to slow down his momentum when he walks, not even briefly. He reminded me he smelled the flower last week and it wasn’t very fragrant to him (his nose isn’t as sensitive as mine), so he wasn’t motivated to interrupt his pace. He did say he would have stopped to look at a kitten. We both prioritize that!
Wow, to think I almost didn’t ask why he kept walking. I almost mistakenly decided he didn’t see the value of taking a few seconds to delight in something. He does, but not necessarily for all of the same things that would stop me. I was reminded not to force my priorities on someone else. We each have own treasure hunt to pursue.
In summary:
Notice the gifts. Even a few seconds of delight will add joy to your days and (probably) years to your life.
Be curious. Be curious about people, places and things and see how much you don’t know. Let your world and your understanding grow.
Celebrate our differences. Let everyone pursue their own gifts and succeed in their own treasure hunt. Otherwise, it could get really crowded at magnolia trees.
