Filed under Appreciation …

Feb 13 2013
4 Comments
Appreciation, Baby, Mommyhood, reflection, Relationships, Value, Womanhood

My Boy


This has been a really rough few weeks. Oh Lordy! I cannot begin to describe it. But as is usual, I would prefer to express myself in a different way anyhow. Even when the days are drag-down beat-up days, there is still so much I am thankful for.

Let me tell you, let me count the ways; My Boy is so unique and so particularly mine:

My boy is giggly, wiggly, snuggly and bright.

He has joy in his eyes, a spark of wonder–and light.

He can make me smile, even on the darkest day.

I couldn’t have imagined him, couldn’t have drawn him in a more perfect way.

He was designed, formed, planned.

He was created and molded. Gently, carefully by hand.

The days that get rough, days I can’t sleep…

The days I feel weak, like I’ll break down and weep…

On days when the house is a mess, the dog ran away…

Dinner was ruined and I’ve got nothing to say…

I remember the care that first brought him to life, I remember the joy as he first cried and cooed.

I recall how I gazed on his features and form.

His soft skin, his sweet face. How he smelled, looked–I was wooed!

I quickly realized my blessings and cards had been dealt– my new title of “Mom,” made me totally melt.

I would fall in love–such a love-laced heart attack!

Once you enter the world of a mother, you never once look back.

My Boy, you have changed me–because you are mine.

I am never going to be the same as I was, and that’s really just fine.

All my love,

-M

Tagged , , , , , , ,
Nov 29 2012
1 Comment
Appreciation, Conscientious, Creativity, reflection

The Fight: Thankful Hearts and Minds


Lets be honest about thankfulness–the human heart is trampled constantly by unthankfulness. 

It comes on slowly, like the tide coming in.

Littls bits of it surface, and we see them, and we’re just like, “Oh, I see that over there.  It’s no threat right now…  I can keep on just the way I was, because it’s such a small amount anyhow.  I can easily keep out of its path.”  So we truck on, walking or trudging towards wherever we’re off to.

Woosh.  Wham.  Then it hits hard and steady, surges of it coming on there and here.  It’s easy for me to envision our society as tiny hermitcrabs on the crest of a wave, swiftly being pulled outward into the open, wide mouth of the sea.  Being whisked along willingly by a beckoning wash of discontent–willingly until we feel the tight grasp the tide has upon our hearts and ourselves as a whole.  The icy grip of something that is so far from human, so far from the warmth of relationship–so controlling and crushing.  We don’t like that scary feeling once it has sunk its claws deep into ourselves: When our social media and commercialism claw at our rhythms of life, grasping toward our very purposes.  When we center ourselves around the latest conversation about some idea off in the distance with people who we hardly even know.  When we’re obsessed by the latest thing coming out that we have yet to afford.  It sucks you in.  It sucks me in.

When we realize this metaphoric occurrance has taken place, it’s something we have to dig ourselves out of, if we’re even able to be conscious of it.  It seems to me that most people are unwilling to admit what a hold it’s got on them.  Like they don’t want to be accused of having such an obsession as the lives of others.  But I think it’s there for most people, deep down.  We want to feel known, and we try to replace feeling known by God with feeling known by others.  Whether or not they are “real” and intimate friends–or if they’re just numbers on a facebook account.  I think I have to prune myself with sharp shears of intentionality often if I am to keep myself from going asunder into the ravaged lands of discontent.  It’s really hard.  Our commercial world has this way of creeping into every facet of what we do.  I just undid myself with social media in one aspect by removing myself from facebook a few weeks ago.  Nearly every day I wonder what’s going on in that little chasm which has become so deeply ingrained in most of us these days.  But the longer I stay away, the more I try to presently be in my own life, presently do my tasks with concentration, the easier it is to stay away from it.  I think back to the feelings it gave me of inadequacy, of being incomplete… probably partially because I was stuck between two worlds: the cyber-world of things and people I am not currently around, and the one I’m actually in but sometimes only half-way a part of.  I also felt inadequate because I wanted to really connect with others, not just facebook them to see what’s up in their lives.

This sucks the life out of life.  It simply drains conversations, ideas, thoughts.  We become these passive observers of our lives instead of active participants vibrantly attuned to what we are doing and where we’re at.  We stop being able to discern why we’re doing things or if we’re effective.  In essence, we start living in an alternate universe.

Think I’m being extreme?  Maybe.  But I don’t think I’m far off.  If you look, I don’t think you’ll have to dig too deeply to find something like this near to you.

So what can I do to fight for thankfulness in my own heart, and to fill my thoughts with joyful and thankful ones, thoughts for God’s purposes for my life?  When I’m really struggling, I have to pause and ask God to really grip me.  Take me captive.  Show me who he is.  Because I know I cannot do this alone.  Spending time with my family also reminds me to be thankful.  Reflecting on my life and all of those blessings that I take for granted lately.

I feel like God gives us all opportunities to see the world through another’s eyes.  I try to take those chances, and to actively realize where I should be thankful for what I have.  I’m sure sometimes others see my life and think the same thing.  We can show reflections to one another.

Fighting for my heart and mind to be capable of thankfulness and to embrace and rejoice in what God’s given me also means that I must remove myself from things, people, and places I know will tempt me towards unthankfulness, jealousy, and self-seeking pleasures that are really not helpful.  I try to focus on those things that I know will be edifying, that I know will be eternal, and I know will leave me with a deep contentment. Some of these are simple, like just sitting down in my dining room and having a cup of hot tea, and breathing deeply.  Actively speaking the truth of thankfulness to myself, reminding myself of what God did for our family that day.  Others things are more outwardly serving, like as bringing a meal for a friend or listening to someone when I really feel like telling them I’m too busy right now.

How do you fight for your thankfulness?

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:15-17.

All my love,

-M

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Oct 12 2012
Leave a comment
Appreciation, Creativity, Nature

Fall Refresh


Does this weather make you giddy?  It makes me absolutely inspired.  Some days I can envision myself as a tree or a plant–connected deeply to the earth, the soil beneath my leafy feet, the sun or rain coming down overhead.  My actual body intertwined with the things that are hilly and rocky and vine-covered.  I am a creature of natural leanings, I feel most alive and most well when I am able to be a true participant in God’s creation.  Walking along, touching leaves and rocks as I do, and breathing it all into my soul.  Earth mama would describe me well if I were to have my way most days.  But at the heart of it, I think we all connect in some sense with the things which are naturally derived.  Have you ever met anyone who considers nature to be repulsive?  I have a few friends who do not appreciate the act of being in nature, who don’t want to be out and about with the bugs and poison ivy and numerous foes of the forest (if I think too much about all of that… I don’t want to be, either!) but I think we all see it as visually spectacular.  When we consider it, we are stunned at the creativity and light, the beauty that flows from all aspects of it.

Fall is a time of renewal for me.  The scorching sun and the desert heat have taken leave from the area, and we all breathe a sigh of relief at that.  I am able to enjoy the outdoors once again, because when it’s so humid and your skin feels like it’s slithery and slimy the moment you walk outside… Well, I don’t like to chance it.  I stay comfortable inside.  But when the Fall has arrived, the windows can be open and the cool season can take hold of me and gently nudge me towards creativity and productive projects.  I feel a kind of new fascination with myself and with the possibilities out there in the big, big world.  Fall just does that to me.  I remember in college, at the first school I attended, Fall welcomed the joy and respite offered in the holiday breaks.  Profs seemed easier on you and encouraging of out-of-school activities.  We all walked down the cobblestone streets towards our cafe of choice, just to hang out and sip pumpkin lattes, and generally take it in.  Fall has so many good memories associated!

This season also seems to hold some kind of mystery in it’s hands.  I could write about it a thousand times, but each time try to describe the colors and shapes, the call of the fresh air and the sunshine more accurately than the last.  I can never quite capture what it all means and where it comes from.  And maybe that’s one of the things that really inspires and excites me about the season change from Summer to Fall–I don’t know how it happens every time, I don’t understand it down to a science, but I am like the painter, or photographer, or sculptor–trying to depict an enchanting piece of life, to create a version that rivals its qualities.  This season, with its sensuous pumpkin forms and frolicking leaves in the breeze–this season represents who I am when I feel free.

Tagged , , , , , , , ,
May 23 2012
Leave a comment
Appreciation, Environment, Family, Value

Saving Turtles


Today, the hubby & I were driving back from a fairly nice (though so early it was rough) morning together for a baby appointment. We had lunch together, and just enjoyed each other’s company. As we neared home, things were good… when suddenly… “Was that a turtle?” He noticed a turtle making its small, slow way across the middle of the road. We looked with panic at one another, since we were on a busy road, and I declared, “Turn it around, baby, we have to save that turtle. Someone will hit it!” A few more moments of horror followed as we saw many trucks and cars speed our way (what were they thinking, driving the speed limit while a tiny turtle was on the road?!) and Troy even said, “Close your eyes… I don’t know if it’s even alive!”

Thankfully, we saw mister/miss turtle alive and well, but it gave us a good scare. Before we pulled over to the side of the road, we saw about four vehicles drive by–and the turtle was RIGHT between their tires. One vehicle swerving off a bit, and it would’ve been a goner.

Hubby put on our emergency lights. I waited in stunned anticipation–hoping we weren’t took late! I watched as he picked up the turtle, put it safely into a gulley on the other side of the road, and jumped back in our car. “And stay there, turtle!” Apparently the turtle hissed as he was lifted out of danger and into a soft bed of grass.

I’m thankful. We had an adventure, and saved a little life. What could be better?

-M

Tagged , , , ,
Dec 19 2011
Leave a comment
Appreciation, Family, reflection, Womanhood

Belly Bubbles


“B” is for babies. And “B” is for bellies. And in case you didn’t know, it’s also for bubbles. I’m having the most amazing tiny, little bubbles popping around in the depths of my belly this evening! They are so precious that I just had to write it out. They feel different than any little pokes I’ve felt before because I can tell there’s not just one here and there, but there are a succession of them as if my little one were practicing some bicycle kicks inside me! Too cool. I can’t believe there’s really a little human being in my womb–yet there is. I am freaking out for Friday! We are both freaking out for Friday. But of course, every day I am reminding him that Friday is a day closer, because I’m just that filled with excitement and that in awe. We are going to have a boy. Or a girl. Whatever you are–little Irvin–I don’t care. I could care less if your hair is red or your eyes are green or brown (however, you know how attached I am to your father’s baby blue eyes, so knock yourself out if you’re busy working on a pair of those!). I am not really envisioning how you will look, because I know however God has created you will be wonderful. I’ve been praying for ten tiny toes. Ten tiny fingers. Praying for your little digestive system and heart and lungs. Your smart brain. Hoping and praying, and after that leaving it all in our good God’s hands. We just cannot wait to meet you and learn all about your personality and your passions, what could your little heart hold? It’s all so new and exciting.

Everything is changing. Your dad is getting comfy with the idea of you and likes to touch my tummy. He can’t wait to feel you moving. My belly feels like it gets bigger by the hour, and I feel much more tired after “normal” activities I would do (like taking the stairs to our bedroom two at a time, at a quick pace. That’s a doozy!). Your room is starting to change, bit by bit. A new stroller, and a new changing table. Two pairs of tiny socks that I really wanted because I like thinking about putting them on your tiny feet. Pretty soon in these next couple of months that room will get a redo, and it will hardly be recognizable. I can’t wait for that. It all feels right–preparing, and making you center stage. I’m not having a hard time of that at all, and I guess I shouldn’t fight it now because it’s how it should be. I find myself inclined to clean and organize, sort, declutter, and generally get rid of crap that will not do our new family any good. It’s a nice, new feeling. Thank God for hormones that help, right? Haha. I’m in total nesting mode now that school is over.

We can’t wait for you. I am overjoyed.

-M (is for Mom)

Tagged , , , ,
Aug 24 2011
1 Comment
Appreciation, Marriage, reflection, Value

Every Season


Life has brought many changes, both big and small, for the Irvins. With the heat of summer and the sweet, yet unexpected, hints of fall (cooler evenings, even when the heat index is in the 100s during the daytime hours!) I reminisce on life and reflect on how the seasons ebb and flow. I’ve always loved the transitions and watching it with expectations of the newness. Through the seasons changing, it seems God has given us a very constant reminder that “this too shall pass” when we’re in a tough spot of life, but also that we need to take time to cherish little memories that will be here one day and gone the next. Like a green leaf turning golden, we can’t forget to thoroughly enjoy the moments that pass us on our busy journeys to get “there”. Life is a stream of seasons that flows into one big ocean of time: it swiftly passes by, and sometimes I just feel like I’m taken as a passenger–along for the fast-paced ride!

I’m trying to describe our days to you, sweet reader, but its hard to sum up in words. I can simply say that I am thankful in the current season, yet rejoice in hopes to come. We recently went on a big road trip to the East Coast, and it was our first one together! What a fun time to spend recharging and just being in one another’s company. Stopping at many destinations along the way–What adventure we had. Our final stop was to see friends get married; their beautiful ceremony and vows caused springs of love to well up in my own heart for the amazing gift God gave us in this special bond with one another. It was a reminder of who He is, who He always promises to be: everlasting, the one who seeks out relationship with us, the one whose grace never refuses. That’s what marriage mirrors, and what a Christ-like love is centered upon. In our journey towards God’s given promises, it is so good to breathe in a moment and taste the goodness that is there.

Among other new news, we have sold Troy’s Accord (ahh, we’ll miss that snazzy car! ) after coming to terms with the new lifestyle we now embrace. Homeowning is not for the vain, and having a van, or a truck, or … an Element… would certainly make moving things around, buying and selling, helping others with their junk… a much more do-able task. We’ve had my friend Sam staying with us for the summer, keeping company, learning, growing, & being as silly as we please. We have adopted a new dog, Lady, who has taught me such patience as she has learned the art of being housebroken, not chewing the meaningful little trinkets I possess, and general good dog manners. She’s been the sweetest thing as I’ve learned that being a doggy mommy to TWO dogs is even better than just one: I can see how they interact, how Shadow leads her around, and how her nature is the exact opposite of his. It’s a beautiful thing. She is constantly making us laugh with her antics, and in need of correction for some of her manners, but she shows us so much love. I am coming up on my last semester (envision me raising the roof as I shout this) of undergrad, and Troy & I are thinking of things towards the future and what that means for us–with God’s vision to guide us. In about a month we will embark on our first real serving-centered trip together to help restore Joplin after all of the devastation, and we are eager to see what God will do there.

There’s a quick update, for any who are interested, and for now I’ll bid you adieu. God’s got a way to mend my brokenness by showing me the goodness all around, and I hope that He is helping to restore yours as well.

With Love.

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,
May 04 2011
1 Comment
Appreciation, Conscientious, Education, reflection

What We Value


It seems like we value what’s soon to be, or what we are not yet able to possess.

I see that’s what I’ve done previously, and possibly presently as well.  Today in Psych Seminar, portfolio presentations were center stage.  Three presenters gave their stories in a professional manner, from a standpoint of what they had done in their time as a Psych major, and as a student.  The stories varied considerably, some included photos from trips studying abroad, others detailed their family support systems thoroughly.  Their showcases were clearly pieced together with time, love, and pride.

As I watched one woman inform us of her victories, and struggles, her highs and lows, I could not stop the feeling of awe that swept through my body.  It went from my head, and trickled into my heart, touching a place that may have been a bit hard.  You see–I have been longing, yearning to get out of college.  To be done.  As a Super Senior (which, if you don’t know, means I am doing more than the usual 4 years of time at an undergraduate institution) I have begrudgingly gone to class, skipped my classes from time to time, and pretty much skimmed by in some instances that my memory can recall.  Though I have done these things, I have not yet felt truly sorry about them–which I should.  So many, like my thankful colleague, feel that they may never have gone to college, were it not for God’s hand in things, or for a blessing by means of scholarship or family provision.

She is deeply thankful for the place she’s at in her life, and is going to pursue grad school!  I feel so proud for her.

This is a great example, and reminder to me, of truly valuing what I should.  Instead of being ungrateful that I can’t organize my home as much as I’d like to, or cook as often as I’d want, I need to be thankful for my education.  It’s a funny place I’m at–both wife and student, and employee.  I know that my roles are singularly important, in and of themselves, but it’s difficult to see that when I feel that I should live up to something more. That others will judge me because my home isn’t spic-n-span, and we don’t have a home cooked meal every night (though Troy’s been making some lovely pie lately!).  Or because there is dirty laundry on my bedroom floor.  This is a negative view, and I should rid myself of it, with God’s grace.  If others judge, that isn’t their place.  And… furthermore, my priorities must be elsewhere, if I’m going to get this diploma!

A beautiful time of life can be made ugly and disastrous, if compared to something that it will never be.  You can’t value a diamond if you are always criticizing it because it isn’t a pearl!  What?!  Why aren’t you iridescent and round?!  Why do you sparkle so!?  Don’t you think it’s absurd?  I do also.

I cannot compare this time of my life to any other, by saying, “Well, when I’m working more instead of going to school, I can help pay off those student loans!  I will be more valuable!”   I assure myself of my value, and of my worth in that manner, I guess. I’m sure my human condition will tire of the work world as well.  I will think myself toiling at work, wishing for the days when I was a learning, free-thinking student acting in the play of college.  I will think that role better than my new one.  So I must learn to be thankful, and content, in all things.

And with this, I can ask that God will show me, as he showed Paul, how to be content in all circumstances:

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Phil 4: 12-13

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,
Mar 23 2011
1 Comment
Appreciation, Creativity, Priorities, reflection

What The Piano Taught Me


As I sit there, my fingers tenderly and carefully caress the keys…. I let them begin lingering over each one as though they were all precious to me.  And they are.  I gaze at them as though I have fallen in love with them anew.  As I begin to appreciate my days gone by, my years now far away, I see that each stage of life is precious like that.  There may be so many keys and each is different, but each is also precious with its specific, singular note.  Each note gives a different perspective, filling the room with a different mood, a different piece of musical life.  Coming together to create something that is capable of touching deeply, arousing feeling–emotion.  As the melody strings together under my fingers, racing quickly, I see that I am no longer in control of the tune.  It sweeps away as my fingers take themselves there.  I am merely a bystander in this entire act.

Life feels like this too, some days.  As though I am swept away with the tune.  Those weeks when your body is so tired… not from physical exertion, but from work!  It’s good, but tiresome nevertheless.  My piano sits in my office, usually untouched save the occasional moments, late at night, when I have a bit of time and I start to feel capable.  At the age of four, I began to play.  I played all through my school years, my parents valuing my lessons highly, and up through college as well.  My piano is something private usually, and I wasn’t a performer–I experienced nervousness from recitals.  I loved to play for myself, or for a friend who would jam with me.  At any rate, my years have become more jam packed with life, less available to the piano.  It sits there, beckoning me, but I am not as certain as I once was.  It’s like an old friend– you know that they’re there, but you may avoid them for the sake of distance and time between you.  You wonder if you still have all that much in common.  That’s how I feel about the piano.

The piano shows me that though we value a thing, we can distance ourselves from it and sometimes forget it altogether.  We may discuss it, we may remember it somewhat, but we haven’t made the time in our lives to give it priority.  Though I love it, I do not make time for it.  I have been working to create an atmosphere in my heart where I can put music and the love that dwells in it as a priority, but it’s difficult when papers need to be written and dishes cleaned… when errands must be run and I want to spend some quality time with my husband.  But deep down, I have to make this time, because it’s important to connect with the soul of it.  To embrace the feelings that only music can bring me as it flows through me.  To remember it for the next generations.

Something else it has shown me is a bit harder to deal with–though I love it, and I still consider myself a pianist, if I want to go back to it I must go through a painful fire of procedure.  Earning my way back to my intimacy with it.  My fingers have lost quite a lot of their former dexterity, and I must risk sounding like a novice without any experience as I gain that back.  I must fumble over the keys as a new musician would–trying to navigate, trying to learn how to play in the dark, only the shapes of the keys guiding.  This is the price of forgetting my love, the piano never leaves, it just keeps asking me to remember it again.

As I think of my devotion to this lovely instrument, I remember my dedication and commitment in previous times.  I must fight the business of life, the errands, the frivolity, and return to a first love of mine.  We must declare our loves or we will forget them!  We must genuinely show them our affection, or they may be gone and leave us wishing we’d been more intentional.  When I first fell in love, with the keys, when I was finally eye to eye with how amazing it was… it was in high school.  I’d taken lessons for years, but then a moment occurred when it struck me: what a privilege, what a passion.  There are so many things in life like this–we don’t make the time, and we trust that they will always be there for us, eventually.  Why should we waste our lives without them?  There’s no reason to.

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,
Feb 01 2011
1 Comment
Appreciation, Dogs

On The Catwalk #2


I unashamedly confess the truth: I have an undying love for showcasing my little tigercat–she has a personality as big as a lion!  Tonight, while the blizzard was busy swirling up a storm, flexing its muscles, and just scowling at everything in general, I was enjoying her funny, serious, picky, hilarious personality.

Here is where our little photo jaunt begins.  A semi-disgruntled, semi-amused Gabby.  Yes, that is a ribbon on her neck.  And yes, I did place it there for my own amusement, and yours.  Don’t worry, no Gabbies were harmed in this production.  Only slightly annoyed.

Here we find our  little friend surveying the situation with a keen eye–she seems to sense that something could be a bit out of place.  ”What’s this?  Last time I checked I didn’t have any cheetah spots…”

Quick to spot an impostor, she takes it upon herself to set things straight.  A speedy tilt of the head and a swipe of the paw and….

Oh… It seems that she has been distracted. She saw something in the distance, and casually forgot about this ribbon’s date with destruction.  Hmm.

It looks like she has remembered the ribbon now–With a vengeance!  She is filled with righteous indignation.  Ok.. maybe just cat-like reflexes that can’t be tamed, and killer instincts for play… but she’s filled with something.  And then… just when I think she can never be anymore fierce….

She ups the ante again!  And she is.

I don’t quite remember what happened from here on– everything is a little foggy.
There was a flurry of whiskers, and…

A whirling of ribbons….

Along with a streak of gray fur flying faster than I thought possible…

And here she is.
Contentedly surveying the damages she has inflicted upon her plaything, it’s just another day in the life of Gabs.
I do love watching her play… even if the ribbon could’ve been used to wrap a beautiful gift… I think it served its purpose well.

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,
Dec 03 2010
Leave a comment
Appreciation, reflection

Walk The Town


Today was chill, but not as uncomfortable for living as yesterday was.  Yesterday was pretty bitter, so walking around sounded far less appealing compared to being cozy indoors.  Since it was nicer, after my business at campus was wrapped up nicely, I decided to take advantage of it and walk around town.  I wanted to relax and revert to my thoughts and the scenery, and a walk did the trick.  It was nice to be absent from an agenda, a schedule, a “reason” for being out.  I never realized how much can be buzzing around you while you are busy with your own life.  Maybe sometimes our automobiles remove us from the world, we can drive right through without really experiencing.  Unaware of what is going up or what is going down, which businesses are flourishing or diminishing.
As I walked the streets I decided the town wasn’t as depressed as I once thought.  I can remember driving through, on some mornings towards school, thinking how sad it was.  And there are still those parts, but the square seemed to have many vendors popping up here and there.  Mom & Pops are very trendy.  Oh so trendy, and they each have a niche.  One of the shop owners had a little chat with me, asking me first about my haircut, then she wanted to know how I decorate my house.  She asked if it was country, or vintage, and I said eclectic, (not wanting to tie myself down to one “style”) with some modern and some asian tendencies.  :)  It’s evolving, I explained.  The woman nodded, knowingly, and told me that she likes to know what her target audience really want to see in her store.  It was a hodgepodge, and enjoyable to browse aimlessly.  It’s nice, being a part of the community a little bit, because while I am a student, having a home and life elsewhere can make you feel removed to be sure.

After my shopping curiosity, I got lost in the buildings as I walked past them like a tourist: Yes, eyes popped open wide to the possibilities.  Taking it all in.  Wishing I had my camera by my side, in my bag or in my hands, and feeling very European on this drowsy, overcast day.  Buildings always make friends with me naturally… filled with our lives, I find that my brain automatically creates stories of families or college kids or others to live in them.  While there are many shops on the ground floor of the square, they are usually two or three stories tall past just the shops, allowing the mind to wander into the realm of the unknown.  To imagine the lives of others is to gain perspective on our own, I think.  This is because in that moment you are imagining what their lives are, what their concerns are, and that we all have these big worlds inside our heads that may actually be very small.  All of my daily struggles, upsets, whatever… are nothing compared to what some people’s are.

I compare this building imagining to people watching.   The smile lines or worry furrows tell many stories about people, their demeanor, their hurry or their funny attitude express a portion of their lives.  These buildings do the same with their run down appearance, tidy windows or decorations, red stately bricks.  They all give a portal into another world that we may not otherwise experience.

It’s good to get out.  It gives me appreciation.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 38 other followers

%d bloggers like this: