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July 13, 2008
Taking expert advice
Having recently come back from warmer climates, I was interested to notice that at number 16 on the Dalai Lama's 'Good Karma' advice is 'Once a year go somewhere you haven't been before'.
Was this good advice? Well i can only speak for myself, but what I did notice was that my senses felt more alive and I was more aware of new sights, sounds and smells.
I noticed the birds singing but they were different birds with new and unfamiliar songs, the insects were scuttling and buzzing, they kept catching my eye because they were different from the insects I am used to seeing, bigger, bolder colours with enormous stingers, I found myself watching feeling scared and yet somewhat fascinated at the same time.
Walking along I noticed new smells and took the time to investigate and find the plants that were sharing their scent with me.
The sea was so clear I found myself watching how the little fish moved in the water, some content to be alone whilst others swam in a group dance moving in and out which made large ripples across the top of the water, infact these movements scared me out of the water the first time I swam, as somehow I convinced myself I was about to be eaten by something huge. But when I took time to watch I realised that not for the first time I had allowed myself to be scared by something that in reality was not at all scary, but it did make me realise that I spend a huge amount of my life fearing things I need not fear.
Having the opportunity of being somewhere new in some ways made me feel like I was looking though the eyes of a child, seeing things for the first time, not always knowing their names, not taking anything for granted.
I felt an eagerness to stand and stare, to breath it all in and to allow life to unfold before my eyes, keen to find out more but not wanting to to control or rush anything.
I was content just to be and felt connected to the Heartbeat of this most amazing world.
Good advice? For me, yes I'ld say it was.
Posted by Shelliz at July 13, 2008 04:47 PM