Great Experiences Abound!
Oh, Today! I have the option to remember today and all the beautiful experiences I had. Today was my daughter's birthday; she's 9. She told me that the best birthday she could have is if we could go hiking and see something new. And this is the best part…Because I can, because I am an Eden Knight and because I am a free being, we woke up and went on the journey to find the perfect place for her. The first 2 places we went to the trails were closed due to the heavy rain we received this morning. I looked up another place to go, and I found Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, TX where they have what is said to be actual dinosaur foot prints in the ground. The park sounded pretty good, the kids were excited, it was about an hour and twenty minutes from where we were and off we went. The drive there was so scenic and beautiful. After taking care of the fees and taking pictures in front of huge Dinosaurs, we started our hike.
I was so thankful to feel fully present. We walked up to a beautiful river and took off our shoes. I was resistant at first in wanting to take off my shoes and a thousand excuses came up as to why I should keep them on; it could be slimy or I don't want my shoes to get wet etc... But one thought kept coming to the surface: Why not? This will be a fun experience. Why not? So, I took my shoes off and walked across the water with my kids. I felt the water rushing over my feet and it was pretty cool feeling the only slightly "slimy" rocks. I stopped and looked at the beautiful tree covered hills and huge birds just soaring in the sky, I took a deep breath, the air smelled so sweet and I looked over at my kids laughing and exploring the Dinosaur prints and looked up and said thank you for this beautiful moment, to witness and consciously experience such a delicious moment simply felt so good!
My daughter even jumped up and down saying this is the best birthday ever! Yup! That's how we do! Found the perfect place for her. We played for a couple of hours and preceded back to the Garden of Eden.
What is being present? What does that feel like? Having your thoughts fully on where you are and what you are seeing, hearing, or smelling is being present. The mind has the tendency to think of everything all the time, always keeping you scattered until you decide to focus it. I think about all the little experiences that one is missing by not fully being there, not being conscious. Missing the tiniest little butterfly passing by, or noticing a new star pattern you've never seen, or consciously being aware in the moment of the moment to know it IS a beautiful moment! Being conscious enough to start seeing what life really is is such a great gift. If life is made up of a bazillion little experiences, try to be there for most of them!
A thought for today:
Your power is in the present moment--right now! Unconscious living means you WILL create by default. But why do that...
Breathe, Focus and Feel.
A very well done post!
Now to find a way to get you some exposure!
Thanks! I am open to suggestions indeed!
Nice post @mmcrae. I"m sure both your children loved spending time with you and in nature. Now that's a cool way to spend a birthday. Thanks for the post.
I love this park! I am always amazed by the big tracks. My last visit was in the middle of Aug, man it was Hot!
Thanks for sharing