Beauty Everywhere
Link to the Hummingbird album
When you click on the above link I suggest clicking on each of the six photos to get the full impact. Thanks to Rob.
I love this short sequence of a hummingbird in my son’s backyard in Vancouver last Sunday. This past week has been filled with beauty and it is what we all need whether we notice or not. Even when things didn’t go according to plan the second I looked around there was something luminous for me to see. And the beauty was not always a flower, bird, work of art but oftentimes a kindness, generosity, word gifts or a delightful memory out of nowhere.
Take the wonder of last night’s webinar that I did for the ToDo Institute. Lovely people I hadn’t seen in awhile showed up along with brand new faces and participants stretched across the globe from New York, Florida, (my German language buddy on Duolingo) California, Hawaii and many states in between along with Australia, UK, Australia and Japan. What a great group and the surprise for the evening was my friend Yoshie from Kyoto who appeared unexpectedly on the screen although she had not appeared on my list of participants. Delightful!
When I look at the wonderful people in my life, how could I possibly ask for more. And of course I will. That is part of our natural humanness, just a little bit more of this and less of that. The poet Holly Hughes captures this succinctly in this short poem.
But the mind alwayswants more than it has—one more bright day of sun,one more clear night in bedwith the moon; one more hourto get the words right; onemore chance for the heart in hidingto emerge from its thicketin dried grasses—as if this quiet daywith its tentative light weren’t enough,as if joy weren’t strewn all around.
Myth of Normal
There is something liberating in coming to grips with the myth of normal. Knowing full well the obstacles, impediments, and hurdles all of us have faced during a lifetime and, still, to be overflowing with gratitude that not only are we still standing but we have so many stories of significance, and why it is all worth it. This applies to each of us.
When we can shine the flood light on the whole of a life and not follow a narrow beam on just the things that we don’t like – we can appreciate precious moments. Ichigo Ichie, as the Japanese imply, is the idea that we take nothing for granted. The implication that every occasion is a treasured moment.
I suspect if we could get rid of the myth of what constitutes normal (meaning everything is going according to plan) and acknowledge the reality that all lives contain multitudes of things that do not go according to plan, no matter how hard we try – well, I think we would suffer less. It would be expected that loved ones get sick; drivers do stupid things, including us, and relationships get fractured, as do bones.
The wonder of enough:
I deeply believe we are all doing the best we can. (even when it seems like we are not) Include yourself in your circle of friendliness. I have grown to cherish our imperfections, the messy business of living, the falling down and getting up, the joy that arises out of the blue. The fact that not everything works out the way we had hoped – and that we sometimes don’t have a clue what the next steps should be. To love and be loved. To help and be helped. To accept our differences. To pay attention to all the beauty and all the support we receive. To laugh and to cry. The miracle of the everyday. It is enough and I am grateful.
NOTES
1.This week I have a song from the movie Perfect Days going around in my head. In fact the song is titled Perfect Day. I like the entire soundtrack from this movie and I love the movie. Many of my friends were not quite as enamored as me and that’s ok. (it may have something to do with length, very little dialogue and the repetition of each day in the life of a public toilet cleaner in Tokyo) Win Wender is the director and it was an international hit when it came out a few years ago. Here is a link to the playlist and the one I refer to is track 8 with Lou Reed. Click here There are some great hits for Nina Simone fans as well.
2. Brother David Steindl-Rast of Gratefulness.org, beloved teacher, author and wise person turns 100 years old on July 12th. When asked if we should be grateful for everything he said “of course not. We cannot be grateful for violence, war, loss, illness… but we can be grateful for something in every moment.” This came to mind today talking to a friend going through a challenging illness. He mentioned how grateful he is to be in a city with excellent medical facilities that offers the treatments he requires and to be surrounded by loved ones. I felt the same with my diagnosis back in 2008.This is nothing to do with pretending things are ok. This is a reality check where you acknowledge the tough stuff that you wish didn’t happen but since it did, what else is true.
3. A warm welcome to recent new subscribers and a big thank you to all of you who keep showing up each week. I am beyond grateful for your kindness.Strength and courage be yours along with many moments of joy, love and laughter. Warmly, Trudy
In spite of a chronic painful facial condition, yesterday I was overcome with gratitude, especially for my daughter who loves me and talks with me every day and for the good man who loves me and helps me with my many physical needs. I am so grateful that I love them, too, and that Melissa and I have loved for almost 60 years and Robert and I for 15. So many beloved friends and other family, so many wonderful memories, including those with you and Gottfried. Thank you, Trudy, for all you do to encourage us every week!
Thank you dear Carol for your reflection on love. I often hear Jack Johnson singing in my ear, “love is the answer to most of the questions in our lives.” Keep on keeping on. The world still needs you. sending love your way, Trudy
I really love what you wrote and the links and mentioning Brother David and Gratefulness.org. and cherishing imperfections.
Wendy
Thank you dear Wendy: It is always lovely to hear from you. And yes Brother David is one of my favourite teachers. Warmly, Trudy
As if joy weren’t strewn all around – I love Holly Hughes poetic wisdom. The hummingbird photos are delightful, as are your enthusiasms for life Trudy! xoxox
Hi dear Janice: I LOVE this poem of Holly Hughes. I learned about it from you so thanks again. Thank you for stopping by and big hugs, Trudy
God bless you Trudy; I appreciate all the encouragement to live in gratitude. I listened to the song too and I did not bring up cleaning toilets in Tokyo – love your wit. Tai chi almost done and I can hardly wait to return to my Friday happy place.
Thank you dear Jean: We will all be glad to have you back whenever you can make it. Your little rectangle on the zoom screen lights up the room. Warmest wishes, Trudy