It's Been A Long Time Coming

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Oh, no, it's going to snow, according to the weatherman.
   
I am not yet fully recovered from my fall so I won't be making snowballs or building a snowman. Honestly, I have done neither in years and the flakes will hopefully be of the sloppy, slushy, short-lived kind.
    
Since the path was clear for the moment, I took a walk to Kwomais Point Park and scanned the horizon, admiring the free-floating birds in a cloud-scattered sky.
     
A dog was laser focused on returning the ball so he could chase it all over again.The pet's clarity of purpose and perpetual romp in the now was impressive.
    
Living in the moment isn't so simple for humans, I thought, indulging in a hot brew and some prose upon returning home.
It can feel like grasping at mist when trying to live in the now. Rarely do we stop there as thoughts swing back and forth from a past we can't forget to a future we hope for or fear. Life is a series of phases and we often want to move on from present difficulties, anticipating a brighter horizon. When we get there, new challenges arise so on we go, wishing for a next phase, forgetting to be mindful of the moment. To overcome crises and grow, of course, we must revisit the past sometimes as well as believe in better tomorrows. But the Poets and Storytellers prompt "it's been a long time coming" brought to mind that what comes naturally to children fades between adolescence and adulthood and the way back to that sweet spot is an inside journey down a long road of effort that the right song can bring into focus in an instant. Please click and enjoy!

Explore more at Poets and Storytellers United, SKYWATCH and Saturday's Critters. 


Because the state of our planet is the most pressing issue of our time, link up and learn about the  Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report.

HOLD ONTO THE LIGHT

Comments

  1. Carol @Comfort Spring StationFebruary 23, 2023 at 11:55 AM

    I like the view of the birds in the sky - does look like snow. I hope it's light and melts quick.

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  2. TomFebruary 23, 2023 at 12:34 PM

    ...living in the moment is my goal, I'll keep working on it. Take care and enjoy your day.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Spare Parts and PicsFebruary 23, 2023 at 12:44 PM

    Dogs seem to have no trouble at all living in the moment. Beautiful sky photos with the soaring birds!

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  4. JimFebruary 23, 2023 at 1:55 PM

    Good shots.

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  5. Light and VoicesFebruary 23, 2023 at 4:44 PM

    Did you get the snow? We missed the rain, sleet, ice and snow.

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  6. Shiju SugunanFebruary 23, 2023 at 6:27 PM

    Beautiful pictures! Yes, I like to be mindful of the present and just ignore the past and future.

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  7. Yogi♪♪♪February 23, 2023 at 6:42 PM

    Great photos, great commentary. Being able to live truly in the moment is such a rare thing but so delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  8. eileeninmdFebruary 24, 2023 at 2:11 AM

    Beautiful collection of photos, I love the birds in the sky and that cute dog.
    We have not had much snow this winter, we have not even had to use a snow shovel once. Enjoy each day! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  9. RajaniFebruary 24, 2023 at 6:23 AM

    It's true, living in the moment is hard, we carry our baggage and fears across time. But then sometimes there is a blue sky and birds... so there's that!!! Just have to say, that dog looks so beautiful in the picture...

    ReplyDelete
  10. colleenFebruary 24, 2023 at 6:26 AM

    I do love that last stanza... days brimming at now's rim... tasting bliss, not in what could be but what is... says it all!

    ReplyDelete
  11. carol l mckennaFebruary 24, 2023 at 6:53 AM

    Wonderful post ~ great photos and living in the moment is not easy at times but it is truly all we have ~ Thank you for being you with your wonderful ideas ~ and creativity

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yvonne OsborneFebruary 24, 2023 at 7:01 AM

    Great photos of those birds in the sky. Why is it so hard to live in the moment as we become adults? A good reminder to recapture that childhood awe at the smallest thing. "tasting bliss...not what could be but what is!!!" Retraining ourselves to pay attention. They say, if you have an old memory of a snippet in time it's because at that moment you were paying attention!

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  13. Rose PFebruary 24, 2023 at 10:02 AM

    Wonderful photos and insightful poem; thank you :)

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  14. Rosemary Nissen-WadeFebruary 24, 2023 at 5:14 PM

    I enjoyed all these reflections!

    ReplyDelete
  15. MarjaFebruary 24, 2023 at 7:20 PM

    We indeed had the same thought Maria I love your poem and also like the playfulness with words in it like 'brewing days brimming at now's rim'

    ReplyDelete
  16. JimFebruary 24, 2023 at 7:28 PM

    I think reminiscing the days past will help keep them in memory. I liked the treatment of 'brewing up' and 'up to the rim' metaphorical, idiom, usage. We use the first a lot, the second all depends, it has a closer fitting.

    ReplyDelete
  17. eileeninmdFebruary 25, 2023 at 6:39 AM

    Hello,
    I enjoyed your poem. When I think of the word brewing I think of trouble brewing but it could also be good times brewing. I guess I like to think of happy moments and positive thoughts. Beautiful sky and birds in flight captures and the doggie is a cutie. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

    ReplyDelete
  18. DebbieFebruary 25, 2023 at 8:01 AM

    beautiful images, the dog looks like he is having a "ball". i have that jason mraz song in my itunes library. his music is so distinctive...his songs have such a great vibe.

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  19. HelenFebruary 25, 2023 at 8:20 AM

    Yours is a gorgeous write! You bring a fresh perspective to 'living in the moment' ... thank you! Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  20. ~Lavender Dreamer~February 25, 2023 at 12:55 PM

    Take care of yourself! The dog looks like a good companion!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Kenneth Cole SchneiderFebruary 25, 2023 at 2:32 PM

    Many restful images. Love the spirited look of that beautiful dog. Keep on the road of improving health.

    ReplyDelete
  22. BreathtakingFebruary 25, 2023 at 10:57 PM

    Hello :=) I'm still buzzing from listening to the upbeat Jason Moraz song "Living In The Moment". It has made a cheerful start to my day. Thank you! It's what I try to do anyway, with some happy past memories to keep them alive.

    I'm sorry to learn you have an injury,get better soon.:=)

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  23. David M. Gascoigne,February 26, 2023 at 4:33 AM

    Living in the moment is probably all that we can do. I hope that your wrist is fully back to normal soon - pain and reduced flexibility is no fun!

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  24. AngieFebruary 26, 2023 at 3:29 PM

    Maria - I agree with you that it can be difficult to be in the moment. I find my brain is "dashing" from topic to topic, sometimes re-hashing something that happened earlier in the day, sometimes jumping ahead to the next task on my list. It takes mental effort to stop this "dashing" and focus. It is a worthy endeavor and brings special rewards!

    ReplyDelete
  25. RommyFebruary 28, 2023 at 2:48 PM

    It is hard living in the moment, but so, so worth the effort to try.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Sallie (FullTime-Life)March 1, 2023 at 9:54 AM

    I never thought about the fact that dogs are so good at living in the moment! It is something I work on through doing Yoga and attempting to meditate (not too successfully).

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  27. purplepeninportland.comMarch 2, 2023 at 5:23 PM

    I find trying to live in the moment is a difficult task. My dog has no problem.
    Beautiful photos, Penelope! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  28. AlanaMarch 4, 2023 at 2:02 PM

    Living in the moment is an art and a skill I have not devoted enough time to mastering. But I loved your birds in the skies photos, and the song.

    ReplyDelete

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