Freedom is where my feet are. Author Unknown
You can tell a lot about a person by the way they walk. Some are hurried, eyes straight ahead, feet pounding the concrete as they cross the boulevard. Some are lost in space. Eyes glazed over like zombies, detached from the world around them. Others are strollers. Taking in the scenery and enjoying the view. They view the earth as if they have just seen it for the first time.
I tended to be the hurried one. Not just physically but practically as well. You’d catch me rushing through my life’s agenda trying to play catch up. Rushing to work, rushing to complete assignments, rushing to finish blog posts,etc. But something eventually caught my attention.
The miracle is not to walk on water but on the earth – Thich Nhat Hanh
P a u s e . While trying to play catch up the earth was steadily beautifying. It took my dad to share his concern of me being overwhelmed and overworked. It took me getting lost on my way several times. It took me listening to my pastor and reading “An Altar in the World” to realize that the present moment was beautiful in itself. And I was missing all of it’s glory.
The earth is the LORD’s and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. Psalm 24:1
Some things that I’ve come to learn are the following:
Stroll don’t scurry. You are passing up way too much beauty focused on what you need to do when you get “there”.
Look up. I remember going on my nature walk and entering an open field and looking up. The sky was so vast and beautiful.
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? – Matthew 6:26
Look down. While my dog strolled around. I noticed this handsome area with rocks, flowers, and plants standing tall. I knelt down to take it all in.
Consider the lilies of the field, how they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. – Matthew 6:28
Look around. Every stopped in the middle of the sidewalk? Ever found yourself captivated by all that was around you. Try it.
Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you.Job 12:7,8 NLT
Thanks for viewing!
Life to Your Soul 
One thought on “Be Present”