MINDFUL – the basic human ability to be fully present and aware of where we are and what we’re doing and the potential importance of what we are doing.
I have been thinking lately about the number of events that occur in everyday life. And, how when those events happen, I mostly don’t realize their importance. And I find this aspect of my life disquieting.
An example, is my friendship with Fran. If you are very lucky you will get a friend named Fran in your life. Someone who always knows the right thing to say and the right time to say it. Someone who will walk beside you when no one else wants to even be associated with you. Someone who is smart and always knows how to do the things you can’t figure out or haven’t even thought of. A friend who knows you as you are, understand where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.
The scary part about this is when I met Fran, as we both stood ankle deep in the water of the baby pool, I had no idea that this woman would become such an influential part of my life.
I am going to share a picture with you. These are three very important people to me. Starting left is Fran and then my dear friend Nancy (who I wrote about in Love is Lovelier..) and the love of my life, my husband, Dom.
On the day that I met these three very significant people, I didn’t wake up and realize that anything momentous was about to happen. It just did. Don’t you wish that a clap of thunder would sound to wake you up and mark the importance of events in your life? I look for God’s fingerprints everyday in my life but it seems that I can only see them in retrospect.
Wishing you thunderbolts of awareness and Frans, and Nancys and Doms in your life,
Bernadette
This is such a lovely and real post. I am trying mindfulness, too (thus my 2015 OLW, FOCUS), but it is such a difficult concept. I will keep trying, but maybe this is just part of being human: “I didn’t wake up and realize that anything momentous was about to happen.” I love your line about trying to see God’s fingerprints in the day. I’ve heard and read a few things about WAITING and BEING STILL in God’s presence lately, not trying to plan so much or furiously control things – just BE more. Isn’t that hard?! But if we could learn how to do that well, life could be so much more peaceful and mindful.
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It is great to stop and to reflect on the wonderful people in your life. This is a nice tribute to them. It’s good to be mindful!
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Friendship, especially the ones that sneak up on you, are precious and need to be cherished. You are a blessed gal to have friends and a life-mate whom you can share your life with. I practice mindfulness as part of my morning yoga. The trick is, is to remember to do it throughout the day! I’m not sure we ever get it exactly right, but that one second that we do, makes all the difference.
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What a lovely slice about 3 very special people! I am lucky as well and I am thankful each and every day as you are! I hope you share this with your special 3!
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We don’t know or realize the importance of some events in our life until we can step back. Too often we don’t reflect until that special someone is no longer a part of our life. How wise you are to do this while they are with you. Thanks for the reminder to appreciate the special people of my life.
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What a beautiful tribute to these awesome people. I bet they are just as lucky to have you!
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Lucky all of you. And good for you for letting them know how much they mean to you.
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So great to have long-time great friends.
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Yes, I too would like the thunderclap. This is a post that both honors your loved ones and gives others much to think about. Thank you!
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