There's something magical, beautiful and romantic about white lights. Oh yes, those over-the-top, Griswold displays catch my eye, but I deeply appreciate a simple string of white lights. I don't have outside decorations, no lights or reindeer or blow-up snowmen.
I do have this lovely view right across from my house and I breathe it in every night. I wish I could somehow convince the Village of Curtis to keep these lights up all year. I do enjoy sitting under the gazebo, but I'd love it even more with fewer layers.
Simplicity is what I seek. More being, less doing. I think our lives (and world) would greatly benefit if there were more gazebos with white lights and more people that prefer to just sit under them. I'm not the most driven person I know but I also know that its time for me to reflect, to go within, to recreate and to stop a lot of what I've been doing, trying to make happen, hoping to fix, align, balance and perfect.
This seems like as good a time as any to call an ego "truce" and step off of the "I have to make it happen/If it is to be it's up to me train". I've given myself this gift; to be present right here, right now. I am open to seeing, accepting and fully appreciating the beauty of a less-than-perfect life. Breathing in, breathing out. The white lights definitely help.
From your words, I imagine the gazebo is a truly wonderful place. (inside and out) I too adore white lights. Thanks for your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteOh thank you Lucy! Always a *JOY* to hear from you! Join me for tea under the gazebo one of these days!
ReplyDeleteI love the white lights at Christmas. They are simple with an understated elegance. I read a great quote by the Dalai Lama last night, "...There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live." To be present is a very tough thing for many of us, especially since our past has shaped who we are today and thoughts of our future determine what actions we take now. I'm going to set the intention to be present and live in the now. We'll see how it goes because I'm the uber planner and organizer :)
ReplyDeleteGreat quote!!! and boy, you are I are in the same boat there :) I too am planned and organized. You'll may appreciate the new blog post I am working on about my non-goal list for 2014!
ReplyDeleteLiving in the now, being fully present to THIS moment can be difficult. I'm working on setting a transition space--time set aside to shift out of my active, logical, linear mind. So much easier to write about and talk about rather than "do". Guess we have something for the NM intentions, don't we?!?! I'm going to add this quote to my art journal, such a good one!