Noticing
“...It's
the rose's unfolding, Ghalib, that creates the desire to see---
In
every color and circumstance, may the eyes be open for what comes.”
Ghalib
(For the Raindrop) Translated by Jane Hirshfield
This
morning has begun in dense fog; all is dripping greeness from three
days of rain. We needed the rain—it seems we always need rain. Now
even the very air is wet. The ground is smushy; water seeps into your
shoes when you walk on it. My dogs come in from the back yard soaked
and smelly. Liza gives me mournful looks, as though I am the cause of
all that wetness. The gardenias blooming along the sidewalk are
pointing toward the earth, heavy with rain. I brought some in over
the weekend and their bouquet filled my whole house. I think they
were grateful to be out of the rain.
Do
you pay attention to all the ordinary things that give context and
substance to life? One way to reenchant every day is to start
noticing just how many colors, and nuances of colors, fill our world;
how many textures and shapes, how many smells and sounds. Right now,
ourside my window, I see the sun rising through thick cloud cover,
piercing through holes and turning them pink and pale yellow.
Noticing is everything. Think how much more you would want to see if
you knew you'd be blind tomorrow—and then go and see it. Use those
brilliant senses that grace has provided—don't just see the rose,
smell it, touch it. It's an amazing gift of God.
I
encourage you, do not simply throw on your clothes and rush off to
work today. Take a moment to luxuriate in the sensual experience of
springtime.
In
the spirit,
Jane
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