Elder Muse/Day 20:Paying Attention

Gratitude is not a passive response to something we have been given; gratitude arises from paying attention, from being awake in the presence of everything that lives within and without us.

David Whyte

The adolescent bear scampered down the tree and broke into a run down the road with the doggie I am caring for running as fast as she could after it. She gave it a good doggie try but black bears can run up to 35 MPH so there was no doubt who would win the race.

Black Bear/Blue Ridge Mountain Tree

I share this as paying attention with all of our senses awake is a much richer and more creative way to live the moments of our lives. Especially when walking in bear country which keeps one out of situations where nature and wildlife have an edge. Simple but perhaps challenging to do regularly in this over stimulus world we presently live in.

As David Whyte says in the quote above, gratitude arises from “being awake in the presence of everything that lives within and without”.

There were simple lessons here for me. Trusting a dogs sense of smell and actions telling me clearly that indeed bear, or some wildlife, was nearby; and the importance of paying attention with all of my senses wide awake without distractions.

Yes, you probably guessed, I didn’t look up but simply scanned the area around us. All were safe including the bear, and I am certain Reese the dog had an experience that made her day. Active gratitude with lessons!

I sometimes wonder about all that I am missing by not paying attention within and without in this mindful sense oriented way.

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31 days of Daily Elder Muse blog posts accessed from the unfolding of the day – not planned or scheduled. Yes, the Muse is back again during this powerful and challenging shift time on our planet. May these words, stories and images assist you to remember who you are….and how you can be of service.

I have no idea what will arise…..but then do we really know ahead of time what our moment to moment daily experience will be? We are only asked to pay attention and attend with open artistry. ~Gaye Abbott

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Gaye Abbott, Wildly Free Elder, 08/03/24