"Busy. That loaded, time-related word! To busy to go for a walk. To busy to talk now. Busyness seems to be a status symbol in our culture, a way of measuring one's importance by how busy we are." I read these words in a book "Aging with Wisdom" recently by Olivia Ames Hoblitzelle and they struck a chord with me. I realized for myself that I do create busyness before pleasure. A habit I had to start as a young teenager. Work first, play later. That is no longer true but somehow it got ingrained in me. As the Chinese say, if you're preoccupied with past or future, thus missing the present moment, "you're killing life."
This past week was a difficult one for our family. Each day choices had to be made for the good of another. I had no problem with that at all. It was where I needed and wanted to be. One day though, after an especially difficult visit, since we were in Boston and I had my camera, I asked my husband to let me get out and take a few snaps. He drove me to Commonwealth Ave. and then to the Boston Gardens and sat reading, while I wandered. I was giving myself some free time. Not rushing home for dinner or kids, just wandering and letting my camera and vision do the healing. It was a beautiful spring day. I pointed the camera and started healing.
My last stop was at Tatte. I know I have written about them before but sometimes, when you really need a lift, this is where you want to be. The Macha Latte is the best, then add in a cherry pistachio tart and for a few moments your troubles melt away. I am not busy at Tatte. This location was on Boylston St. at Fenway. My plan is to eventually hit them all.
In a world that is often tugging at us to do more, be more, earn my free time. I have decided, for myself, to just be. No tugging or pondering, If not now than when. My camera has pulled me through more tough spots than I can count. This day was beautiful. Spring is like an elixir for the soul. My walk on Commonwealth Ave. provide more than just wonderful Magnolia blossoms, if you look closely at one of those photo's you will see a woman sitting in her front yard, reading a book. On my return down the street, she was waiting for me at the fence and then she came out to the sidewalk. Perhaps an angel in disguise, not being to busy for a stranger. More on her another time. Stay tuned.
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of Strength...”
That will endure as long as life last...
Rachel Carson...Silent Spring
”
