July Morning Sky
Last week was spent in New Hampshire visiting family,
friends, and an inspiring artist mentor whose work I love. On Father’s Day I began coming down with a
cold, most likely due to the fast pace I had been keeping for the several weeks
before the trip. By Tuesday afternoon it was clear that I had to slow down and
rest and take care of myself, so I cancelled a couple of commitments and cozied
down.
We own a condominium in southern New Hampshire, and early
Wednesday morning I was up sitting on our small back deck which looks out over
a lovely green lawn with tall woods behind it. The humidity hadn’t yet infused
the air, and there was a soft breeze blowing through the trees. I sat happily
on the wicker rocker in my pajamas, listening to the birds singing and being
simply appreciative of this beautiful morning and my warm cup of coffee.
And then I noticed it.
I noticed that I was completely happy doing absolutely
nothing, being present to what I was witnessing, a scene that was always there,
always steady and reliably the same save for weather and light and sounds, but
always there to listen myself into. And I noticed that I don’t allow myself
very much to do absolutely nothing. And I noticed how healing it was, how
rejuvenating, in the midst of feeling crummy, I felt rejuvenated by allowing
myself to do nothing. It was so freeing. This is what I was working so hard to
experience but I was always too busy to experience it and it was always
available. It was a truly inspired moment.
The biggest awakenings happen with the least fireworks.
“If you can find a moment to sit,
wherever you are, stay there and enjoy doing nothing. … Don’t allow yourself to
be carried away by your thinking, worries, or projects. Just sit there and
enjoy doing nothing: enjoy your breathing and the fact that you are alive and
that you have 20 minutes or half an hour to enjoy doing nothing. This is very
healing, transforming, and nourishing.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh
