The burning sun softened on its way to the ground by the canopy of eucalyptus leaves, the scented heat of the bush penetrating your skin, the soft crush of the dry leaves as your feet pound the dirt skirting around the rocks as you run down a well known path. You recognise most of these rocks as old friends, they haven't changed, but you have.
I guess it is to be expected to write a blog post about "life and everything", ponder the meaning 'of it all', and reflect on the year past at a time when the calendar year is changing.
The water glistening green and blue, and softly gurgling as it hugs the roots of trees and rocks. The submerged sand scalloped by the repeated return of waves. The air is still, the trees only occasionally rustle with the lazy wind.
"Carpe diem" and/or "Live in the moment"; oft quoted words to encourage people to dig deep for the courage to feel alive everyday. Words meant to encourage a sense of wonder and that nose tingling excitement about the world around you - I'm feeling it now. But also, for myself, a sentiment that I do not understand. Taken at face value, it's quite a stressful idea. Don't relax 'into it', concentrate, ask yourself, 'are you really living the moment?'. But wait, it's gone, try again. Okay. Oh...there it goes, lost, that moment, slipping like sand through your fingers... How do you enjoy holding sand? When all you can do is concentrate on how to keep it in your hands for longer? You know it'll all be gone anyway.
You stop. Your breath is heavy, rasping your throat, your pulse quick and your whole body feels it - the quickened rhythm of your heart. Your are alone, and you let yourself relax into the sounds around you, filled with the chatter of birds, energetic screeching of parrots, the resonant hum of cicadas.
I've recently come to realise that "carpe diem" just isn't for me. My life is full, and as it slips through my hands, I enjoy and study it as it cascades onwards. I look back and appreciate what I see, it's not easy, and why would it be?
The final leg of your run is a menacing hill. You see the car at the top, small and far away. You put your head down, and concentrate on attempting to enjoy the burning in your legs. The only way to the top is one step at a time. You'll get there, but damn it, you wonder why the hell you parked so far away :)
I guess it is to be expected to write a blog post about "life and everything", ponder the meaning 'of it all', and reflect on the year past at a time when the calendar year is changing.
The water glistening green and blue, and softly gurgling as it hugs the roots of trees and rocks. The submerged sand scalloped by the repeated return of waves. The air is still, the trees only occasionally rustle with the lazy wind.
"Carpe diem" and/or "Live in the moment"; oft quoted words to encourage people to dig deep for the courage to feel alive everyday. Words meant to encourage a sense of wonder and that nose tingling excitement about the world around you - I'm feeling it now. But also, for myself, a sentiment that I do not understand. Taken at face value, it's quite a stressful idea. Don't relax 'into it', concentrate, ask yourself, 'are you really living the moment?'. But wait, it's gone, try again. Okay. Oh...there it goes, lost, that moment, slipping like sand through your fingers... How do you enjoy holding sand? When all you can do is concentrate on how to keep it in your hands for longer? You know it'll all be gone anyway.
You stop. Your breath is heavy, rasping your throat, your pulse quick and your whole body feels it - the quickened rhythm of your heart. Your are alone, and you let yourself relax into the sounds around you, filled with the chatter of birds, energetic screeching of parrots, the resonant hum of cicadas.
I've recently come to realise that "carpe diem" just isn't for me. My life is full, and as it slips through my hands, I enjoy and study it as it cascades onwards. I look back and appreciate what I see, it's not easy, and why would it be?
The final leg of your run is a menacing hill. You see the car at the top, small and far away. You put your head down, and concentrate on attempting to enjoy the burning in your legs. The only way to the top is one step at a time. You'll get there, but damn it, you wonder why the hell you parked so far away :)
