Stop and Smell the Roses - taste feel, savor and reflect

Guest Blog Today!! 

My friend Kristof shared this with me, and I wanted to share it with you!!!  I think it is a bit of a take on the “Endure” or “Embrace” concept.  (By-the-way, if you have something to share, let me know!!!  Since at least 2014, I have written a daily blog (probably more of a daily journal).  I have skipped a couple of days here and there, but 360 posts a year can tax my brain!!!()

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One good thing to come from this shelter in place dog and pony show is a change in the tempo of life. Life doesn’t feel so pressure filled to the brim with the stress of responsibilities outside of home. There is time to ‘slow down and smell the flowers.’  

I’m more relaxed as is the rest of my family.  It’s nice to not be exhausted all the time and be able to talk to each other without the pressure of worrying about getting ready for what’s next on the to do list of everyday life. 

Traffic is somewhat reduced and there is more time spent moving instead of being stopped. I’ve had time to teach my youngest to ride a bike. We’ve played games as a family.  We’ve eaten together at the same table at home.  I ran an errand at Callahan's general store in Austin. 

There’s something genuine and interesting about the people; almost like from a time gone past.  

I’ve found a group of people on social media just as passionate and interested in film music that enjoy stimulating conversation and commentary on film scores and their composers. In a way I found a tribe where I feel like I belong. There’s been time to explore new soundtracks and discover new composers with amazing work that I’ve somehow missed out on over the last 20 years  

There is so much more to life than running the rat race. There’s time to talk - not just in passing - but to have a conversation of substance.  There’s time to be focused on the present without being caught in the perpetual motion of economic productivity. There’s been time to reflect and experience and spend time in our own thoughts, as introverts and the lives of others as extroverts. It’s the substance of life that’s been eroded by constantly being pressed to fulfill roles and never-ending responsibilities we have become accustomed to doing day in and day out all of our adult lives. 

There’s been a strange calmness compared to the hustle and bustle of life in the city.  There’s a little more peace, quiet and solitude yet somehow more connection to the humanity of our world. Air is cleaner. There’s less noise. Fewer cars on the road. Fewer airplanes in the sky. Maybe that’s okay.  Maybe this is a once in a lifetime opportunity where society gets to rearrange life’s priorities 

Has this social distancing and shelter in place stuff really flattened the curve?  Who cares?  The real benefit to society has been the opportunity to stop and smell the roses and experience more than a temporary whiff but to take in the beauty and savor the aroma, depth and nuances of the scent of the flowers.  To drink that fine wine and experience the subtleties of the flavors contained in a small sip as it penetrates our taste buds. To feel and savor the textures in sound. There’s finally time to reflect and savor life’s experiences. To find the hidden gems we’ve spent too much time missing as we gloss over life instead of spending time experiencing the everyday details leading to the sense of feeling fulfilled in the beauty of the moment.

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Karen adds:

WOW - EMBRACE the times - “In everything give thanks” - stop and smell the roses - taste, feel, savor, reflect, and avoid the ‘rat race’.

Thank you Kristof!!!

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