Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Perfection


There is little that could make this day more perfect. I am on the feeling-better side of a nasty cold, I am clean after a shower that did not flay my over-tender, fevered skin, and I am sitting on my outdoor swing in the unusual warmth of a late October day reading a book so good that I must take occasional breaks to stare at the sky and let my thoughts wander where they will in response to the words.

I am exactly where I want to be doing what I want to do. I can watch the maple leaves turn yellow and drift down like gold coins, spy out rubies and sapphires hidden among the fallen and still-damp, sun-spattered leaves, and watch the clouds do their shape-shifting in a sky so blue it defines the color.

And, I had a burst of revealing insight: while I was wasting time pleading with the clouds not to rain, I was missing the enjoyment of being in a puddle of sunlight. How silly.

12 comments:

Unknown said...

perspective is everything sometimes. or most of the time.

Tabor said...

We frequently miss the moment when we are waiting for the perfect.

Brian Miller said...

perfection is an illusion...we waste too much time on...glad you are getting over the cold...ack...

Roberta S said...

The "puddle of sunshine", Pauline?
You need to smarten up, you need to pay attention. (lol)

Pauline said...

I think perfection is in most moments - not all, mind you, but more than we realize. We need to let it reveal itself and if we're quiet enough, both in mind and body, I think we are rewarded with glimpses of what's perfect. The trick is to remember that what's perfect is always changing...

Hilary said...

Sounds lovely and comforting. I'm glad you're feeling better.

Scented Leaf said...

Is hard to find perfection in a continuous changing nature... Better enjoy the colors and the sounds of leaves blowing in the wind..

Teri said...

I heard a comment the other day on the radio that talked about living in the now and how it is really harder than you think to actually do because just when you do it, you are already into the past or the future. Living in the now, the right now, is difficult at best. I say, enjoy those colors, that sunshine, the feel of the shower on your skin. We forget how all those simple things in life can really be taken for granted and we forget how lucky we are to be doing just exactly what we want to do, when we want to do it. How many people have that luxury?

Pauline said...

Thanks, Hilary...

Scented Leaf - I think perfection in nature is always there. I just must have a different definition of perfection...

Teri - I agree that many people don't make time to see and take joy in the simple things. We all have 24 hours in a day. We all choose how to spend them...

molly said...

I love your "puddle of sunlight!"

Pauline said...

Molly - isn't playing with words fun?

Ruth L.~ said...

Hasn't the Indian summer been awesome? I hear the wind and the temperature is dropping. Glad you're feeling better.