Tags
Alberta, being present, Calgary, Diana Schwenk, Hump Day Chronicles, life, living in the moment, Observer, people watching, summer
A MAGPIE STANDS ITS GROUND EVEN AS I pass within a foot of the table he’s perched upon – the very table I want to sit at.
Instead, I choose the next table. It’s not bad here; a tree to my right provides cool shade in one of my favourite Calgary parks. I set out my note-book and pen, ready to write what I observe and imagine, an exercise to help me be present in the moment.
Across the way, a middle-aged man sets down his groceries, pulls out a cigarette and lights it up. He sits and looks up to the sky while taking a long, slow drag. I wonder if he stops here often – a break of sorts before heading home.
A young boy rides his bike around the park while his watching mother, seated on a bench chats on her phone. He stops to say hi to me, beaming with an ear-to-ear grin. Moments later, he crashes and mom comes running to help him up, comfort him and convince him to get back on his bike.
Across the way, the smoking man glances my way. His hands on his knees, his brows knit together when we make eye contact and he turns away, seemingly in deep thought. Perhaps like me, he’s wondering where the time has gone; when did he get so old.
A boy and a man divided by decades in age.
Is either one aware that now is all there is?
That longing for the past or being anxious about the future robs them of this moment potentially ripe with joy?
That they would be wise, as would I, to breathe deep this moment and give thanks?
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
elizabeth2560 said:
Beautiful post.
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Thank you my friend. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jennifer Kelland Perry said:
Diana, I am realizing the importance of living in the now, especially with the grandkids staying with us for a week. Collecting sea glass and shells, laughing and playing – I’m savouring every moment with them. Timely advice for sure! Because one day they wil be all grown up but their nanny will have lovely memories to treasure. 💕
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Enjoy your visit Jennifer – I bet they will also treasure their memories there with you for years to come! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
theeditorsjournal said:
Apart from the overall message I used to love sitting and watching people and just…stuff going on in a random street. Random things, big things…hours and hours go by. Glad the magpie got his table too!
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Yes, people are so fascinating! And I’m happy for the magpie too. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
theeditorsjournal said:
Lol. Good ol’ magpie. Love it when animals just do their thing around us. When in Jamaica the birds used to come and perch on the tables and nick food when our heads were turned.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nurse Kelly said:
Beautifully said, Diana, and a great reminder to appreciate each moment. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
dianasschwenk said:
Thanks so much Kelly! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nurse Kelly said:
My pleasure always! xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wendy L Macdonald said:
Good thoughts here, Diana. We should all take time out and truly experience the now, as you have done in this park. Today I noticed a mom and her young son taking their dogs for a walk. She had two real ones at the end of her leashes, and the boy was dragging a stuffed toy dog at the end of his. Good on his mom for not sweating the small stuff. I had a nice private giggle over the sweet scene. Small pleasures. ❤
Blessings ~ Wendy
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Aww that’s precious Wendy! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
Val Boyko said:
What a lovely pause and reflection Diana
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
It was a wonderful pause – thanks Val. The Magpie was a bit intimidating but… ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
vanbytheriver said:
Such a poignant observation, Diana. It is just one of the reasons I like to travel alone at times, for the uninterrupted silence that lends itself to people-watching. ☺
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
I like traveling alone too Van. I meet more people that way! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Healing Grief said:
Wonderful observing Diana! We see so much more when we stop with awareness. 🙏🏻
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Yes, that’s so true Karen! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
utesmile said:
It’s great to just sit and watch and ponder…. very peaceful and calming. I love doing that too and start thinking all different things about life!
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
It was indeed peaceful and calming Ute! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
joannerambling said:
Bloody beautiful, just so you know
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Jo-Anne! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
Louise Gallagher said:
Beautiful. Melancholic yet filled with a quiet hope for the future and a soft longing for the past. Love it.
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
What an eloquent comment Louise – thank you. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
Chatter Master said:
I love sitting, and watching, and letting my thoughts carry away with my imagination.
LikeLiked by 1 person
dianasschwenk said:
Me too Colleen! I am fascinated by people. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
Chatter Master said:
I would love to have the resources to go someplace like Disney and just WATCH people for hours!!! Repeatedly. And, while there, maybe walk around a bit. 😉
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Yeah or Paris where I hear the people-watching is phenomenal!
LikeLike
Chatter Master said:
Okay….I’m in!
LikeLiked by 1 person
kerbey said:
I’m not sure which one I’d rather be. The old one has already had a life full of opportunities and experience. It seems better to always be the younger one, but who knows what this world will offer and how crazy it seems to get by the day? We have to trust we were born at the right time.
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Kerbey I agree. We are all born at the right time in the right place!
I love your ponderings on being the old one with everything behind him or the young one with everything ahead. ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 1 person