Sunday, April 3, 2011

I always find it a tad perplexing when, by the end of a weekend that’s been crammed full of stuff from beginning to end, I find myself feeling completely relaxed. Shouldn’t it be the other way around—me being wiped out from such a busy weekend?

Hmmm….

I don’t always feel rejuvenated and relaxed after a hectic weekend. Perhaps the difference is that this weekend was full of really fun things I did—unique things. For example, coaxed by a girlfriend, I went to a belly dancing class yesterday where we sat on little cushions on the floor during the hour and a half long class! Though that was odd, it was really useful with being able to isolate the individual muscles we needed to pull off the moves the instructor showed us.

Yesterday was one of those days that was so crazy busy that I scarcely had time to get something to eat, much less then actually get the food in me. Leaving one lecture, my girlfriend and I had a short break that only allowed us to head to a 7-eleven to grab a sandwich (really quite palatable) and some coffee (okay, that wasn’t so great), before heading to our belly dancing class.

That’s how yesterday played out, one thing following another. In fact, that’s how my entire weekend went, beginning early Friday evening. But that’s okay. In fact, it’s even better, for today I feel happy, content and ready to tackle another full week!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

There are days when, despite my having a crammed full schedule, I find myself beyond grateful. Sitting on the sidelines of my son’s soccer game this morning, I kept gazing up at the sky, marveling over what a gorgeous day it was. And I was grateful for that.

Heading out after my son’s game, my mind flew over a list of things I had to get done, and the little time I had to do them. But I didn’t stress. Years ago, I would have. But I’ve learned to just dig in and plow through the things I have to do, taking moments here and there to look up and appreciate what’s around me, instead of isolating myself from the world with self-imposed blinders.

As I’m writing this, I keep glancing at the clock that’s ticking off the day way too fast, realizing that I’m running behind schedule. But that’s okay. I’ve made the necessary calls to help manage expectations and…things…well…they’ll play out however they’re going to. In the end, it’ll all be okay, for I will have gotten through my day without being all stressed, having taken the time to appreciate things surrounding me and without having a nasty mood that would have dumped unfair stress on those around me.

Yup, taking time to appreciate life and be grateful…that’s what I’m striving to do.

Friday, April 1, 2011

The mountain trail where I run daily is known for having rattlesnakes, amongst other forms of more “exotic” wildlife. So, I keep my eyes alert, focused not only on where I’m going and what’s up ahead but especially where my feet are about to land. Doing so has helped me avoid actually getting bitten by rattlesnakes, although I’ve had more than I care to recall strike out at me as I was leaping over them while running.

This is prime rattlesnake season—the beginning of it—when snakes are just coming out of hibernation in search of something to eat. It’s my ultimate goal each season to avoid becoming one of the things the local rattlesnakes sink their fangs into. So far, my keen attention to the trails has allowed me to maintain that goal. Today was no exception.

Moving along the trial at a good clip, my eyes shifted from what might lie just beneath my feet to what was up a little ways ahead. There were shadows cast across the pathway in some areas. Those are the places I scrutinize the most, for that’s where it’s easy to miss a snake sighting.

Up a little ways ahead, just past a shaded area, I caught sight of movement on the ground. Getting closer, I was astounded when I spotted the largest rattlesnake I’ve ever seen! This guy had to have been over three feet in length and at least two and a half inches in diameter! Its rattle alone was about two inches in length and easily an inch and a half wide! It was moving at a fast clip, not the least bit threatened by my close proximity. But then, I’m sure it knew it had the upper hand should we need to engage. More surprising than it’s impressive size was its coloring. Most rattlesnakes are the color of dried dirt so they can perfectly camouflage. But this guy was mostly green…yes, I did say…green.

I took out my phone, and in the time it took for me to get into the camera setting, the snake had scurried most of the way across the path. Never before would I have believed that I’d be uttering the words, “Stop moving so fast,” to a snake, much less a rattler, but that’s exactly what I did. I hurried to snap my photo before the snake disappeared into the grass where it was headed.

Letting the snake slither into the cover of grass before I proceeded, I gave thanks for once again missing getting tangled up with the wrong end of a rattler and continued on without further sightings.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Today was one of those days I love—the kind where at some point during the day, I ignore something on my to-do list in favor of something better.
Every week, my son and I go on a weekly date. Did so yesterday and had a pleasant time. But some weeks, this son just wants/needs to spend more quality time with me. Today was one of those. I got a text from him at lunch asking if we might go someplace after school for a refreshing treat, seeing as it was “soooooo hot.”
Looking at my schedule, I realized that I’d have to leave directly after bringing him home from school if I was to make it to my Pilates class. Then I thought about it…how it wouldn’t be that much longer before my son will be grown, and I won’t get these cherished opportunities. So I texted him back that sure, I’d love to.
I picked him up a few hours later and we got some Greek wraps and headed over to a quaint sitting area in the center of our downtown area, complete with shady trees and a rambling artistic water fountain. There we pulled up some chairs and let the rest of the world pass us by, each person intent on wherever it was they needed to be. Meanwhile, my son and I were exactly where we needed to be—enjoying quality together time.