Some sunsets take our breath away. Some leave us wanting and
disappointed. Why is that? Maybe it is because we have expectations
wrapped around what we think we want. When those breath-taking moments
are lost or never come, we tend to face disappointment in the moment.
Instead of seeing the sunset as a symbol of a day well spent or simply a
day that was survived, we turn to all the failures and battles that
were fought. A dismal sunset to end a dismal day. This is so human.
I stood at the edge of the lake a few nights ago waiting for the first sunset of boat season. I was excited and the anticipation was high. The sunset had other thoughts on the subject. It was so lacking, like a faded photo, yellow from time. I held my hope for a break-through in the end that never came. I walked away disappointed and somehow I felt diminished. As I lay on my berth thinking about the sad little drop into darkness, I realized that I had expectations about what should have been. I lost sight of all of the accomplishments of the day. All I felt was the tired ache of my body and all the nicks and bangs across my knuckles. The official move to my boat was saddened by my own expectations. Early morning brought the moon rise that spoke of many beautiful water reflections to be had on my new home and I promised myself that I would try harder to suspend my expectations around all of life.
I stood at the edge of the lake a few nights ago waiting for the first sunset of boat season. I was excited and the anticipation was high. The sunset had other thoughts on the subject. It was so lacking, like a faded photo, yellow from time. I held my hope for a break-through in the end that never came. I walked away disappointed and somehow I felt diminished. As I lay on my berth thinking about the sad little drop into darkness, I realized that I had expectations about what should have been. I lost sight of all of the accomplishments of the day. All I felt was the tired ache of my body and all the nicks and bangs across my knuckles. The official move to my boat was saddened by my own expectations. Early morning brought the moon rise that spoke of many beautiful water reflections to be had on my new home and I promised myself that I would try harder to suspend my expectations around all of life.
At times like these, I believe practicing unconditional love, not only for what surrounds us but for ourselves, would be the prudent thing to do. Take the time to look back over the day at all the moments (good, bad or indifferent) that gave us pause. Those moments are our accomplishments for the day. The act of breathing through 18 hours is sometimes all the accomplishment that we can manage. Remember, to your lungs and the rest of your body, that simple act is paramount to the day.
Be gentle with yourself today. Be gentle with yourself every day. Many situations are not of our making or liking yet they stand before us as obstacles... or maybe just speed bumps to slow us down a little bit. It is our choice on how we see and handle them based on our expectations. Remember to throw a little self love into all this deep thinking.
Know that... to so many people you are a rock that is unshakable in their world. Be at peace with that, and remember your own rock on days that drag you down.
Be at Peace,
always,
'cept
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