Every night after dinner, I take a walk around my neighborhood to help my digestion, and I often end up at one of the two lakes that are within a couple blocks of our house. Tonight, I intended to walk but was blessed with aliveness. I ended up finding a spot to sit at right on the beach of one of the lakes, and was listening to music in my headphones, as I do with pretty much every evening stroll. As I watched the other people around me, I realized that everyone else was there. Physically there, obviously, but more importantly, mentally. No headphones, no talking, just there. In the moment. So I followed suit.
I'm sure what I experienced was no different than any other night the lake has to offer, but tonight Mother Earth seemed especially present. The toads croaking, the water lapping at the shore, the breeze rustling the leaves, the greens, the blues, the smells from land to water, it was all magic. It was all alive. A tiny little spot on the face of the Earth, bursting with soul and energy. Similar to an immersive art exhibit, except there was nothing fake about this. The beauty was all real, both sounds and sights.
Sometimes we all need to take out our headphones. Leave our phones in our pockets (or better yet, like my roommate does when he walks, at home). Unplug from the technology that steals our presence. The only exception might be to take a picture like the one above, which I did tonight. Fishers quietly floating by with a masterpiece as their background. We are so lucky to witness this work of art on a daily basis, and whether you're in Poland or Malaysia, the gallery begins when you step out your front door.
"A Single Seed" is my attempt to get out one idea every day that I've learned or accumulated over the years, with the hope that it may stick in someone else's memory bank as well. The idea may be related to fitness, business, life, or philosophy, but I think you'll find that many can change domains if you wish them to. With each seed planted, a new life awaits.
Image credit: Me!