Bald Eagle as I walk…
Every day I have a moment of magnificence, that stops my mind from spinning— stops the what if’s; the why didn’t I’s; the I’ve got to’s. Quiets the the he said/she said’s, and the what I wish I’d said’s. The lists, and the agendas and the inner critic is silenced: when I come around the bend and the sun is illuminating the tops of the trees, and all of the world outside my car is aglow. When I look to the sky and a bald eagle is peacefully gliding on the wind. Every day, when I look out at the constantly changing Bay: the colors of the water, the whitecaps or the glassy peace, the islands changing from green to gray to purple, and back again; the boats coming in, the boats going out— my heart beats easily and I breath deeply. When diamonds play on the water and the brilliance is almost too much to look at, tears spring to my eyes and I walk with a little more spring.
When I walk my dogs along the Interurban trail, and the mossy trees are lush and vibrant green, I sing stop worrying about who will hear. When the waterfalls are rushing past me, and the gushing, bouncing, splashing sound is all around— I forget for a moment that I’m tired of rain, and I embrace the water. When Mount Baker slips past the clouds and reminds me that we are always in her shadow, even when the sun doesn’t shine, I smile and feel safer. The white mountains, the blue sky— is there anything grander?
The most enthusiastic of affections
On those days when my head is filled with issues, nothing clears the cobwebs like my boy smiling. Nothing. The way his whole face becomes the smile, and his incredible blue eyes sparkle. When the phone rings and it’s my girl, calling to tell me of daisies and spring green deserts in far away places, it’s hard to feel anything but joy. When I turn on my computer and my other boy appears on Skype, telling me about an exciting day in the city on the other side of the globe— of the crazy, and the funny, and the foreign mysteries he’s discovering, I’m filled with the thrill of his adventure, his wonder. I’m there beside him, for a few splendid moment. Each morning, I am greeted by two overjoyed pups, who seem to think that I walk on water. So I fumble into the kitchen, still waking up, and they do summersaults and bow; they spin and celebrate my arrival. Every single morning. Impossible to resist; they start my day with smiles and optimism. If they love me so much, in those early hours, how can any of my own self doubts be true?
The dark, lush forests surrounding me; the tulips in bloom each year; the passing of time on a canvas of salt marsh and tidal flats; the swans that come, and then go again each year; the flitting and the rustling of small birds at my feeder and the whirr of the humming birds that stop me at the window— all bring me a moment of pause, a moment of wonder, outside my thoughts. Clocks stop and issues dissolve, for a little while. These moments of magnificence, right under my nose, bring me back… from wherever I’ve strayed. My head may stir and grinds and pushes my buttons, but these moments… of magnificent beauty, of unbridled love, of perfect peace, of joy— fill me up. And for a little while, there is no room for all the rest.
What are your Moments of Magnificence? What draws you back to a calm, sweet spot? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.
TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
All of those are definitely great reasons to stay right here! Can’t get that combination of magnificence in most places of the world!
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NO doubt. I’m not going anywhere. 🙂
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Lovely writing and photos. will have to get back to this… but certainly all things “kid.” xox
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Thanks Lisa… your grandbabies would stop me in my tracks! Such cuties. 🙂
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This may sound trivial, but one of my ‘moments of magnificence’ is when my husband takes my sons to a sporting game (usually the Browns), and I have 5 hours alone in the house. I pick up a Chipotle burrito bowl, grab a book, and enjoy the quiet bliss. 🙂
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NOT TRIVIAL at all! Sacred time for sure!
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Awesome pictures!!
For me, the simple things, and often the unexpected. Music. Laughter. Being able to close my eyes and focus (or space out) for 5 minutes – even just 30 seconds.
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Those are sweet moments. When you really drift off in your thoughts! Nice! Yes, always music… but sometimes music is such a sweet spot.
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Not including drugs? Just kidding!!!! Well…. hmmm…. I wish I had the ability to go out and take in all of the natural beauty around me, but when it’s 15 frickin degrees outside it’s a little tough. I do love the blue sky — it can instantly put me in a better mood. I also like to go for long walks through the forest preserve when the weather is slightly more accommodating. I like the sound of birds chirping at my window in the early morning – I’m not sure how they’re surviving this cold? Music, laughter and my kids, all provide me with distraction and bring sweet relief.
My best escape from all my negative and crazy thoughts, hands down, is the ocean/beach. There’s no other place that makes me feel so euphoric and expansive. Something about it eases my soul.
Great post, Dawn. I felt calmer just reading it. 🙂
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The beach/ocean always does it for me, too, Lisa! I’m lucky to look at the water every day. 🙂 And I do not miss that 15 degrees… not a big. I left out drugs, but hmm, yes. That works too.
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Growing up hiking in the Cascades and Olympic Mountains made me feel like there was no other place on Earth I needed to be. Since then I have visited the Andes, and what I loved the most was how much it reminded me of home – towering peaks, pristine forests, crystal clear streams and lakes. No question Washington State has some of the most beautiful natural attractions on the planet. I will be returning to visit in a few weeks. Yeah! 🙂
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Looking forward to sharing that coffee Mike. Keep me posted when you arrive! I can’t imagine living anywhere else, now. We waited long enough to get here… now I enjoy each day!
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Honestly, writing. I think if I didn’t have a sense of humor I’d probably have long checked out. I love writing as an outlet, and when I get rolling, it just feels right. It’s an adrenaline kick in its own way, and it has a way of bringing me back to center and putting everything into perspective again. Long live the laugh. \m/
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NO doubt, writing is my place, THE place where I go to find focus, peace of mind, my groove, beauty, crazy, dig in and dig deep, all of it. You are so right Adam. Honestly, writing. For sure. These moments I mention there, are the other moments, the ones outside of the writing. They bring an entirely different kind of magnificence. Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for making such a true, true point. 😉
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beautiful post..
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Thanks! I appreciate you stopping by, and leaving a comment.
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Magnificent photos! My sacred place is right before sunrise most mornings with a perfect cup of coffee, especially if I’m seaside or on a mountaintop. On those mornings I feel as if I see the face of God. Wonderful post.
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Both of those places are truly magnificent, Eleanor. Ditto. Thanks!
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