Taking Time To Stand and Stare

“What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.”

I learned that poem by W.H.Davies in school and loved it. For some reason it has stayed with me, sitting in my mind, perhaps as a reminder for those days when I let myself feel overwhelmed. In a good way, though.

So anyway, I was basking in the warmth and glow of some emails I received (thank you!), asking why I hadn’t written anything here “for a while”. I was thrilled that I was “missed”.  Especially because I had posted once after Jan 1. I had two posts ready to go, but never got around to clicking the “publish” button because I got caught up with work deadlines for a couple of clients.

But I have been posting on my other blogs, here and here. Not saying I didn’t feel a twinge of guilt at seemingly ignoring my first blog baby . . . simply because it is a rare occurrence that I’d post only once in 13 days!

I must say it nicely tied in with my intentions for 2017—being more focused on my “wishlist” and “intentions”. Some of you may call these resolutions, but what’s in a name. I prefer to see them my way. And since I made them in the last week of December, what better time to implement, than with the start of the New Year?

I started 2017 by combining two things on my list. Travel and . . . doing nothing.

Well, almost.

I left on 31 Dec and returned on 3 Jan. Here is what I did for three days.

Stayed in one of the hostel rooms on campus

Ate in the hostel mess

Drank coffee from the machine near the security guard

Spent time in nature

Read a few books

Walked a lot

Thought a lot

Laughed a lot

Birdwatched

Observed, watched people

Played with my friend who had just turned 4

Lazed a little

Met friends on campus

Made lists for when I returned home

Admired these biker babes

Enjoyed time with myself

Sat on a bench in the sunshine, watching the swaying trees, listening to birdsong

Gazed up at the blue sky

Listened to the crunch of leaves under my feet, then tried to walk, crushing as few as possible

Watched puppies playing, cuddling up with their mama.

Looked at this mama enjoying a siesta

Received hardly any phone calls

Checked email just once a day

Talked to my neighbors at home on the phone, just for fun

Had long leisurely baths

Strangely started my day with tea, because no coffee in the mess, and was fine with it

Was enthralled by the abundance of flowers

Started New Year’s day with no coffee first thing in the morning, and was cool with it

Didn’t talk much

Clicked hundreds of photos, and video

Actually took a (gasp!) selfie! Couldn’t help myself!

Looked at this bee

Found myself smiling a lot . . . still am!

On the day of my return flight, the airline called to say that my 8.15 am flight was now rescheduled to 12.15 pm, which basically meant leaving a few hours later. I felt grateful, since I was supposed to leave at 6 am—and it is pretty cold in the mornings there.  With the reschedule, it meant I could wake up a bit later, enjoy breakfast, watching students rush about and head to class, followed by looking at the six puppies play before I left for the airport.

Once I got back, I settled into my usual routine, feeling all pepped up after my short break.

So that’s what’s been up with me.

What have you been up to? Anything significant in the first half of January? Looking forward to anything? Do tell, in the comments.

♥

Happy Sankranti / Lohri / Pongal!