Lemme ask all of you this question...

@hopefoo (1145)
Malaysia
February 11, 2007 2:29pm CST
When was the last time you guys sat back, relaxed and truly appreciated your surroundings/life regardless of what difficulties you may have to overcome at this moment? Today, I sat on the steps of my porch and watched my dog chase butterflies in the garden. It was amazing. I have been so caught up with all my problems that I totally forgot to hang out with my dog...I totally forgot how to appreciate what life has to offer. Sometimes, it's these little things that makes us see. When I first got my driving liscence, I remember driving up to the coast with a few friends and hanging out there til the wee hours of the morning, waiting to watch the sun rise. It was beautiful. I don't do that anymore. Infact, I don't even go to the coast anymore. What have you seen today that makes you appreciate life just a little bit more?
15 people like this
42 responses
@SplitZip (1488)
• Portugal
11 Feb 07
You mean "stop and smell the roses"? There are no quiet spots to just stop and enjoy the view around here. Everywhere is noisy! This is one of the reasons why I hate going to cafes and restaurants: they're full of noisy people, they're also overcrowded because the owners want to seat the maximum number of people in the minimum amount of space! The tables are so close to each other, you can hear everyone else's conversation. Why people insist on going to these noisy places to TALK, I have no idea. The most I do sometimes, is sit in the sun and just stare at nothing, or at a sleeping lazy cat. That's always nice. I also liked going to the harbor and watching the boats go by, but it's not a good place to "hang out" ;) I suppose going to church could be an option, it is usually quiet, but they're usually too gloomy and depressing. Banks are surpisingly quiet! Except for the annoying BZZZTTT! noises when they page people to the clerks.
3 people like this
@hopefoo (1145)
• Malaysia
11 Feb 07
You know..I've never appreciated the beauty of my church..or inside the bank. I mean, it's all quiet and such except for the sound of dot matrix printers printing invoices etc. Now that's a goodd one. Another good place to watch the world is the departure gate or the arrival gate of airports or trainstations; if you like watching people. Our airport has this great cafe that everyone likes to go, but because it's always so packed there, we buy our drinks and head downstairs to watch the people instead of the planes.
2 people like this
• United States
12 Feb 07
...yah, if we have to live in these noisy fast paced times, I wish we lived in a world where the church doors would and could be left open and you could go in and sit all by yourself.. just me and the stained glass windows..
1 person likes this
@hopefoo (1145)
• Malaysia
12 Feb 07
Yeah..I know exactly what you mean. At my lowest point in life, I drove to the church and was surprised to find that all the doors are locked. 10 years ago, I remember that all the doors were kept open to welcome everyone. I guess the increase in crime has really affected the church. :(
@xbrendax (2662)
• United States
11 Feb 07
In my busy city with all the busses, cars and trucks going by and people scurring about, rushing, rushing, always rushing, no one bothers to look up, well today I looked up when I heard a bunch of honking noises and saw a large v formation of Canadian geese fly over head, it was so beautiful, that all the noise around me faded and for a moment it was as if the geese and I were one. What a wonderful sight that as!
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
12 Feb 07
yep. seeing birds fly freely on air makes us feel free deep inside as well. it's nice to be one with nature even if we live in a very busy city.
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Feb 07
Today the sun came out and danced across the ice-crystals that formed in the snow that covers the ground. The birds took notice too as they gathered in the feeders to feed off the sunflower and other seeds that we set out for their buffet. Sometimes the little things are the most pleasurable. We all need to find a quiet place to sit, watch, relax and enjoy.
2 people like this
@hopefoo (1145)
• Malaysia
11 Feb 07
In my mind, I'm seeing a very beautiful picture of what you just described. It is a beautiful view. I've never really seen or touched snow. Just ice. I don't know what snow looks like. I don't know what a winter wonderland looks like and I've just decided that this Christmas, I'm going to spend it in cold climate. WOOT! HI EB! :D
1 person likes this
@SageMother (2277)
• United States
11 Feb 07
I try to stop and just gaze at my houseplants. I have this palm type plant that is about to take over one whole window. It seems very happy and has even put out spores to reproduce. When the weather is warm enough I take a walk everyday. Some of this is because I need the gentle exercise that brings, and some of it is to get outside and clear away the cobwebs by allowing random thoughts to come and go as I look at green grass, flowering "weeds", and birds. I have missed being able to go for walks since December. There was a blizzard and then almost a solid month of below zero weather....that is below zero F, not C. I can't wait for the the snow and ice to leave so I can get out and walk again.
@hopefoo (1145)
• Malaysia
11 Feb 07
We do not have a lot of houseplants here. They're all outside in the garden, that's why the butterflies are out there. But I understand what you mean. I haven't been out for walks in a long time, because it is either too hot or it's raining. And I'm just a lazy bum. Oh! Blizzard! Were you affected by the blizzard that rendered parts of the US like Chicago, St. Louis etc powerless for about 8 days? It was awful. My friend couldn't log online for days and I asked her..what does one do during a blizzard and she's like "sit by the fire, try to stay alive" and she said it with such seriousness, no jokes. I was astounded. 8 days without electricity, if the cold doesn't kill me, the boredom probably will.
1 person likes this
@yanjiaren (9031)
11 Feb 07
i think every day that i must be grateful..even though i have had a difficult life..the morei appreciate what i have isee more good things happening tome..i think there must be a divine secret in that..i don't know quite what it is..when i look at my hubby's face it is like i am looking at Heaven's gates..and i say thankyou God..this makes my day... now i have a meimei..i am even more grateful lol!
2 people like this
@alantae (243)
• United States
11 Feb 07
Well I haven't had the chance yet today to take a step back and appreciate everything, but I do know that there's one yearly event for me that puts everything back into perspective. It's the 30 hour famine that my church does every year to earn money. I don't know why, but it's always a wake up call for in terms of me realizing all the things in this world I take for granted, and all the things in this world I want but really don't need. It makes me realize how much I take for granted being able to do something as simple as walk to the pantry and grab some chips or turn on the faucet and get some clean drinking water. If you guys have never had the opportunity to participate in this event, I encourage you to consider it.
@ondo1015 (1884)
• Philippines
12 Feb 07
Just because you have gardens, that's why you are relaxed. Here in my surroundings, I cannot see green grass and flowers , only trycycle and motorcabs, so noisy.
1 person likes this
@hopefoo (1145)
• Malaysia
12 Feb 07
Do you live in a big city? Are there any parks there? I live in suburban area and the city's about 20 minutes away but it's a pretty small one. Yeah, I guess the garden does help a lot. But I read a post where this girl has an apartment facing the mountains! I wanna move there. Haha
@pendragon (3350)
• United States
12 Feb 07
I do that everyday and every day there is much to overcome.Today it was the sunlight coming in the bedroom window, and the long tree trunk shadows lying across the snow.Great thread. :)
1 person likes this
@lucy02 (5016)
• United States
14 Feb 07
My husband has his own business and I went with him to help today. He goes to schools alot. I enjoy the children because they seem so sweet and friendly. Well most of them. One particular little girl came up to me and asked me to help her. She wanted me to spell "valentine" for her and asked me where I was from. You don't see many adults that friendly and outgoing. I never was able to be even as a child.
1 person likes this
@lemmec (4)
• India
12 Feb 07
Hey a very thoughtful topic to discuss abt... I alwaz love appreciating my surroundings, specially 'The Nature', it provieds me immense happiness. I go deeep into it & try to find the source of its evolution, as a result it refreshes my Neuro Nerves too... Well something that made me thoughtful today was the Novel 'The Alchemist'. The caption in itself is enough to describe my feelings & all those whohav read it earlier wud agree wid me... Today I finished reading it & those 177 pages by Paulo Coelho hav given 'A Magical fable about following your Dreams' & taught a lot abt 'Life'. Various inspirational qoutes in it adds to the Magic...Few ones which creates impact are " If a person is living out his destiny, he knows everything he needs to know. There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve the fear of failure"..."Don't give in your fears" & many more which are simply worth thinking... Thus today in my Life 'The Alchemist' added to appreciate life a lot more...
1 person likes this
@hopefoo (1145)
• Malaysia
12 Feb 07
I need to get a copy of that book then. I'm currently reading Dante's Inferno..the poems and it's translation. It instills fear. I'm afraid of going to hell and burning there eternally..or worst, getting tortured FOREVER! ACK! I must do good things from now on. I also have to keep reminding myself that.
• Canada
11 Feb 07
For me, the most amazing thing to watch is my kids. My older son made some incredible art this morning, which was very creative, and made him so happy. My younger son sat cuddling his cat - and that brings him so much joy, it's hard not to get caught up in it. I sat with my tea, watching my boys enjoy the simple thigs in love, and felt very thankful.
• India
11 Feb 07
i usually like admiring nature.even a tiny little yellow flower of some grass attracts my attention. the sound of the pouring rain, the smell of the wet mud, the cool breeze hitting my senses, the sound of the sea waves, the shape of the clouds, the chirping of the little birds..i enjoy them all. infact, when i got up in the morning today, it was raining. i went to the terrace and silently enjoyed the rain.it was heavenly!
2 people like this
@saralee1 (1983)
• United States
12 Feb 07
I absolutely love your discussion! The apartment I live in has a wonderful view of the mountains, and I sat there for a moment, as I do frequently during the day, still amazed by it's beauty! I had a beautiful view of the trickling rain, and the foggy clouds that enveloped the huge mountain! I have birds and a ferret, so, I try to give them as much attention as possible already. but, you are right! to appreciate the things around you, is truly life's joy!
@marian_o9 (980)
• Australia
12 Feb 07
i admit i dont get to do this very often as i, like most people, am very busy and caught up in the hustle and bustle of the world... but when i am able to appreciate my surroundings and relax its usually when im by myself... like on the train or on the bus... i gaze out the window and look up to the sky and think about how wonderful God is and how he is watching us all from above... i also do this when im walking home from school after i get off the bus because i have to walk through a park to get to my house and from the park i can see the sunset and its so beautiful... i also gaze at the clouds and their beautiful colours that they absorb from the sunset... there are also often rays of sunlight in the distance shining on a particular spot on the ground... to me i think that God shines a light on that place for a reason... maybe he is giving someone incredible blessings, or it is the light that people see when they leave this world to be with him... but whatever that is, it is beautiful. to answer your final question... the thing that i saw today that made me appreciate life just a little bit more wasn't something extremely extraordinary.. it was a very simple thing.. it was THE RAIN. today it was pouring rain and it is such a BLESSING for our country (australia) as we are currently in a drought. all day i was complaining about the rain getting in my school shoes and making it all squelchy but then i realised y am i complaining about such a little thing when i should look at the big picture and see that this rain is a blessing ? thank you for your discussion. it was an eye-opener ! i wouldnt have realised i felt this way otherwise... its interesting how discussions like this on mylot can open your eyes in ways u've never imagined... i hope i answered your question !! if so pls dont forget to rate ! =) thank you so much and take care and God bless you my friend !! ~maRian
@icequeen (2840)
• Canada
12 Feb 07
I have not seen anything...but it is still early. It is true though...we forget to just take in what is around us...and forget nature and it's beauty. We all need to take a little time out and enjoy the world more before it's too late...
1 person likes this
@divir_vij (1591)
• India
12 Feb 07
one thing in life.. If u wanna be happy in life then take interest and be happy with whatever kind of life you are having. If u keep yourself kool and calm and cherish every moment of your life then i am sure Worries and sadness will never be anywhere near you.
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
12 Feb 07
Most days, doesn't have to be much, today it was the sun breaking through after the rain, just before I was about to ride, which was nice all the best urban
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
12 Feb 07
Most days all the best urban
1 person likes this
@Limey73 (161)
• Canada
12 Feb 07
Well,here in Toronto it's only 10 am, and already I've experienced 4 such sights: #1 I awoke at 6 am with my wife's arm around me. She was fast asleep, breathing gently - the warmth of her body, and the blessed silence of the early-morning world, made the perfect start to my day..... #2 Looking out my kitchen window at breakfast time, I was delighted to see the cat from next door balanced on our garden fence in the snow, looking as comfortable as if he was laying on a carpet in front of a roaring fire...... #3 Four squirrels were chasing each other helter-skelter through the snow and up/down the trees, oblivious to everything except their breakneck chase...... #4 My old dog, after a walk in the cold, is laying at my feet, completely relaxed and snoring gently, his chest rising and falling.... It's Monday morning, and I think it's going to be a good week! Nice post - thank you!
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Feb 07
sit on a leather couch with the aroma of coffee and the scent of butter... i miss those times when i go to the beach with my family, just breathing some fresh air, walking as far as we could, and later buy some fresh fish to eat for brunch. while enjoyin the view and th eht sound of wter splashing, i take pictures of the coconut trees and random people and the sun as it rises, as it shines over the trees and capture a perfect single shot. it's also amazing how the waves hit the rocks and how they synchonically approach the shore and leave it afterwards. Back home in the Philippines, i can curl up til anytime i want, worrying about nothing but dining with my family. i can always go back to my room anytime i want. that that doesn't bore me. my room is one single place i can imagine everything i want to imagine, write, and do just anything i want. until i hear a knock, which calls for a meal. it's Filipino culture, and i miss that so much.
1 person likes this