Follow up:

Friday, as I was leaving work (they do remove the shackles once in awhile), headed to lunch, a slight drizzle was falling as we left the building. There's a small flower garden next to the front doors. (Well actually, it doesn't have flowers just now, more like the pretty big long grassy stuff that drapes over so beautifully.) Just outside the "curb" that surrounds this little space were two tiny baby birds, standing quietly under the canopy of grassy leaves. They weren't moving, simply taking in the big world outside the safety of their nest (undoubtedly snuggled somewhere in the grasses.) They must have thought (as I'm sure so many of us have) a little excursion while ma was away was a brilliant idea!

At times, I've wished I had a camera handy at such times to capture those small moments in life so often ignored, or even if we notice, don't take the time to stop and enjoy. In this case, my technological OCD triumphed! I grabbed my handy dandy do everything cell phone (which btw came in darn handy when the power went the other night - my overpriced data plan and a fully charged laptop battery allowed me to remain internet connected until it came back on! But I digress...) from my bag and snapped a picture with the built in, hardly ever used, camera. I carefully squatted down right near one of the birds, set the bottom of the phone on the sidewalk and edged it quiet close to him (or her.) The little bird was either so afraid of everything it didn't dare move or didn't care one bit about me and stayed perfectly still. I gingerly snapped a photo and hoped for the best, then jumped up and sprinted off to catch up - as my lunch companions were already quite amused at me and had continued on to the car. OK I admit, I didn't really sprint...just walked real fast, since sprinting would imply something remotely related to exercise, which I detest. My idea of exercise is carrying my 7-pound laptop from the bedroom to the kitchen repeatedly each night as I play games, chat and surf the net.

If I do say so myself, and given the lack of preparation, it turned out a lovely picture. Returning from lunch the little birds were gone. I'm so very glad I took the time to enjoy them. Opportunities to notice such beauty can disappear so quickly. Next time life seems to be moving at warp speed, take a moment, slow down, and I'm sure you can find something beautiful to notice...a rainbow, the sound of the wind whispering in the trees, the warmth of the sunshine, the feeling of rain falling on your skin, the majestic rumble of thunder, the awesome powerful beauty of a lightening bolt, the sound of water trickling by the curb, a sunrise or sunset, the bold shades of a flower, formations in the clouds, or even the grace of an animal as it moves about it's everyday life. (Of course, don't forget the graceful power of the internet, the tinkling sound of an IM, the vivid true life colors on your monitor, the surround sound of your speakers...ahem...sorry got a wee bit distracted there...)

There are thousands of things we could take the time to see everyday, so try to find at least one and spend just a moment reflecting on it - it's amazing how satisfying it can be. And now, as I descend from my throne disguised as a soapbox, I leave you to ponder something...tho I'm not sure just what