The Artistry of Aging
“I am filled with gratitude as I write this last post in the “31- Days of Joy and Laughter Project” and concurrently complete a 6-day self directed personal retreat to end the year. As all of these posts came from trusting the unfolding in each day – not planned agenda – today’s post reflects that magical synchronicity that constantly fills my life to over flowing.”
“On this next to last day of the 31-Days of Joy and Laughter Project the article from Good News, along with the video below, came to my attention. It sparked something within me. That part who consciously chooses to participate in one act of kindness and share laughter/humor with at least one person every time I go out into my community. A practice I have taken to heart for many years now and benefited greatly from. “
“Our instinctual body knows exactly how to breathe and move with optimal grace and fluidity – like the moon shining without telling it to. You, as a piece of the moving, breathing natural world – as the landscape you walk upon. Have you fo forgotten?”
“And so it was that I took myself out to the N.Carolina Arboretum to hike the trails and commune with nature. The joy and laughter that I was to write about each day alluded me. Feeling lonely and somehow disconnected I put on my backpack to hike the trail down to Bent Creek and started the walk to the trailhead. Coming towards me was….”
“Three years ago I visited my home town of San Diego, California in the beach area of Ocean Beach/Point Loma where I was born, raised and brought three sons into the world – with the purpose of spending time with family still living there. It was like living my life backwards with so many memories arising as I walked my old haunts and the hard packed sand at the waters edge. On one of these walks I reflected on my entry experience at the airport a day before….”
“From a wider perspective, accepting life in all its pain, imperfection and beauty our stress and anxiety has the potential to shift us from expectations of how our life should be to acceptance of what is happening now. This creates a spaciousness for curiosity about what might happen next. Accepting the unfolding of life and embracing reality with gratitude. Being aware of the possibilities and opportunities that emerge. I consistently find this easier said than practiced in any given moment.”
“Awe, wonder and a bit of dancing around, just like the young child close to us, as we walked into the Winter Lights show outdoors at the N. Carolina Arboretum. What pure magic awaited us as we walked through hundreds of displays in the gardens spontaneously singing with the music and certainly with smiles on our faces the entire time!”
“Having spent most of my life with palm trees in Southern California or evergreens of some sort in Northern California the bare limb Winter hardwoods of Western N. Carolina are bewitching me. Have you ever just taken a walk to be with nature in such a way that you became part of the wild dance?”
“In the video below eco-therapist and guide Grant Hine takes us on his barefoot earth travels offering a time to breathe and of being present with all of our senses. “