WILDLY FREE ELDER
The Artistry of Aging
DAY 5: The Joy of Connection
Holiday Parade,12/4/21, Weaverville, N. Carolina
Everyone had a smile on their face as the high school band started off the yearly Holiday Parade! Kids were entranced and happily scooping up the candy that was being thrown from the floats that passed by, doggies were dressed up in holiday garb walking their humans along the path of the parade, horses trotted by, fire engines streamed in an unending long line, town major and dignitaries waved from their cars, local businesses displayed their holiday cheer and even a pig brought smiles from the crowd.
The day was beautifully sunny and embraced all who were there with a kind of magic that happens when humans connect in celebration of simply being in community. What is it about parades such as this that brings tears to eyes?
Homespun, simple, probably only entertaining to locals that populate this small southern town in Western N. Carolina. But for most it brings back memories of our youth and how exciting it was to be a part of a parade or even an observer with our families. Beyond that it was also a celebration of coming together after such a challenging two years of pandemic restrictions.
As I sit here at the computer typing away I reflect on the joy, laughter and deepening connection that yesterday embraced. Earlier in the day I visited a holiday bazaar tailgate market at the University of N. Carolina, Asheville, connecting with vendors I have grown to value and love over the last 6 months; laughed with my hair stylist as we talked about relationships and explored her love of painting with water colors, especially birds; and then later in the day gathered with three women friends around a small warm fire outside on a deck overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains with margaritas in hand evolving and deepening conversation with each other.
Life moments are precious at this elder stage of life. Fill them with joy, laughter, curiosity, artistry….and connection….whenever possible!
About 31 Days of Joy & Laughter Project:
As elders with a long life behind us and not as much embodied life before us, and as humans on the planet Earth at this time, we are being faced with incredible challenges that compete to take our attention.
A couple of days ago I realized I no longer choose to have my attention taken by the fear, doom and gloom broadcast daily, whether on our smart phones news feed or while talking to others. I am weary of it all and need a higher vibration energy bath!.
It is not that I don’t want to know what is happening in the world, but instead the question I am posing to myself, and to you, every day is – where do we want to place our attention? We most always have a choice.
For the month of December I am placing attention on joy, laughter, creativity and acts of kindness as a experiment to see what unfolds. Seeking out and being aware of moments of joy sometimes hidden in the deep pockets and lining of each and every day that seem to get passed over without even looking back. They are always there.
Each day in December you will find a small nugget of joy, humor, creativity or small act of kindness that found me and pulled my attention which will be posted here. I invite you to join me and share your experiences and what you noticed so that we may spread it around! (Please use the “Comment” section below).
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http://wildlyfreeelder.com/blog/
Gaye Abbott, Natural Passages Consulting, 12/5/21. Please feel free to share this post and link to WildlyFreeElder