Experiencing Nature
In an effort to be mindful and place myself even where I cannot be, I have decided to write down my thoughts on where nature is taking me. As a flawed human being, I always think I have too little time to do too many things. When I feel a lack of time and start doing things too quickly, albeit various things, I end up completing nothing.
A highly knowledgeable book I have been working on told me that today, I should go outside and experience nature. So, in my mind, I am stepping outside. I am stepping outside my door and reminded of how I used to love being barefoot at all times. These days, I rarely walk without slippers or shoes. I do, though, wear socks at home, which take the place of rubber souls most of the time. I look to the right and disregard the door I see there since it’s not aesthetically pleasing. I do, though, think beyond the door. I think of the sounds I hear. Let’s say I am not pleased, which means I will hear nothing. I will hear no people, no music, no television, no splashing of pool water, nor my niece’s voice. That would be when I look to the left, possibly ahead of me in disdain, and open my door to step back into my humble space, where I attempt to feel tranquility.
In better circumstances, I hear people and music. I don’t open the door and walk through—no. I just listen and enjoy their presence from afar. I make an attempt to foreshadow anyone opening the door from the opposite side so I am not present when they do. Needing to stop my imagination, needing to stop the pleasant sounds of beautiful human beings gathering and enjoying themselves by saying excuse me is definitely outside of my comfort zone.
Then I stop listening because I am secure that there are happy people there. I smile and possibly look down as if mesmerized. Then maybe I look up. Then maybe to the side. Then maybe I stop right in front of my door and walk back in without wanting to step inside and back into the safe space I call home.
This is a culmination of my minimalist experience these last few moments: stepping into the world and feeling happiness by knowing others are living life fully surrounded by things they love. You see, now I have to step back into the many things I have to get done with little time. I need to step back into reading and writing and attempt to finish this five-year document that has been weighing on my mind and heart since day 1. To keep things simple, I am reminded of what makes me smile for a few seconds. That’s all I need. What makes you smile for an instant? Would you want it to stay, or do you relish that you experience it in special moments and not feel it’s all-consuming? Do you like the ability to breathe in happiness and exhale love?
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