4 Dec 2014

Like the birds


There are moments in one's life, at least I hope there are, when they feel like they see for the first time.  The ordinary hills, trees, sidewalk one has walked upon and through a million times is seen as though new and foreign and it commands awe.  That was today.  Born a Calgarian who has lived in Manitoba, BC, the U.S., Central American, Asia and Europe, I keep coming home - to many people's surprise.  The comments of surprise and wonder at my desire to move back to 'cow-town' are numerous, and I myself am increasingly surprised at the distain Calgarians (and, let's be honest - insert any city dweller here) hold for their own city.  If you are unhappy, dear human, then move.  But I can assure you of this - it is not the beauty of a city, the temperature, weather, politics or city organisation that makes a city worth living in - there is so much more to life, people, community and meaning (that comes with struggle) that encourage my decision to settle where I have.  Moderate weather alone will not cut it. 
As I reflect on my happiest times in life, they have been when I had less distraction from the moment - less Facebook -, when my life was simpler -I had less - and when I lived in community.  Today, as I walked along a sidewalk in a suburban community in south west Calgary, I was in awe of the blueness of the sky.  The sky here in Alberta is brilliant.  It is so big and obnoxiously and joyously bright.  And that blue - it is so pure and beaming - like it was the first blue ever created.  And then there is the snow - or rather, sparkles, under my feet and all around me.  The crunch and squish cut the silence of the crisp, still space of this area - until you run into the bushes of a hundred little birds, who cannot stop chattering excitedly at the sparkly decorations of their home.  The birch trees, rooted and strong play games with the sun's rays.  They are happy just to be.  A reminder of the joy of stillness and quiet.  And among those trees, I fell in love again - with this life so generously given to me.  What blessed creatures we are, to be able to call this place our home. 
And so the decision stands and is confirmed again.  It's the simple, and the still moments of looking around that we realize the beauty of life and being alive.  And I am grateful and elated, like the birds.

5 Aug 2014

Playfulness


"[Life] is a musical thing and you are supposed to sing or dance while the music is being played."  ~Alan Watts

Today I am aware of my tendency to run.  Like a hamster - in a wheel.  I wake with to-do lists in my head, I scurry about all morning - task to task, very robotically and mindlessly to get ready for my day.  Most days are busy, packed, really.  Mostly with obligations, others with self-imposed disciplines such as exercise and study.  Things that are neither good or bad and sometimes both. 
Lately though, I have become a little more cognizant of the girl inside of me anxious to get out and play.  I have kept her trapped for too long and she is getting impatient. 
Are adults simply working to finally play again?  Is play not an essential part of life? 
Philosopher Alan Watts' basic metaphysical assumption hinges on an understanding that the universe is essentially playful.  The universe has no necessity that can be fully comprehended, and yet it exists - beautiful and blatant.  With all our gust and endearing drive could we have forgotten what it means to simply exist in this paradise?  Have we forgotten to stop and look around and remember what a gift it is to simply be alive?  There is much we can learn from children, who wake up and immediately start to explore and play.  That is our nature! 
Today, I remember little Stephanie excited to explore.  That is my intention today.  I hope it's yours.