Storms rolled into Austin a few days ago. Rain, Thunder and Wind rolled in. Performing natures #1 hit. I found myself on the balcony listening to its magnificent tune. The best surround sound experience one would ever receive. The breeze rushing in at just the right angle for me to enjoy it without the rain giving me a second shower. I called my mom and talked while the storm rolled on. At one point I actually had to walk in due to the severity of the wind and lightening. We will call in half-time.
While talking with her, we brought up old wives tales told to us about how lightening will come through the window and “git (get)” us if we fail to lock the windows, bring down shades and sit in the middle of the room. If one were brave enough and open a window, we need a second window open on the opposite side of the house so lightening could pass through without wreaking havoc on us. We had a good laugh and finished the conversation. All the while, my brain was shifting into writing mode.
I lingered outside for a little while with a glass of tea and a snack. The sound of nature was just like listening to music but more peaceful. Sometimes, in songs, the music is drowned out by the lyrics and tempo. Almost as if the musical instruments hardly matters. Listening to the storm was like listening to a sweet and beautiful tune. No lyrics, no pattern, or tempo.
As I listened to the storm I started to drift off into peaceful meditation as if the storm was calming the some sort of storm inside. I sat there thinking about how I never really appreciate the present as much as I should. Do I ever just… STOP? or SLOW DOWN?
A lot has happened in my life and I forget about that sometimes. I haven’t been fully appreciative of where the past sent me. I worry so much about that journey and miss the enjoyment in its destination.
Where I am
So I sat, listening, breathing, being, not just existing but ACTUALLY present. I took the time that I deserved to relish in the beauty of life.
I feel that it’s times like these where the universe shows me what I can be. It’s like a trailer to a movie with an unknown release date. I’ve come to realize that I just need to slow down. I want to truly feel alive. To meditate in consciousness and gratitude.
When did I become so complacent? So disconnected? When I sit on the balcony I want to be a part of the environment around me. When I eat, I want to take time to chew and enjoy. When I am driving in the car I want to bring my awareness to the beauty in the scenery around me.
To sum it all up, I don’t designate enough time for connection with the universe. The storm brought a reset that was a long time coming. I sat in reflection. I will let this be the starting point.