Friday, May 31, 2013

Staying Young

by Deanna 


Young children are such joy-filled, breath of happiness creatures, always eager to embrace life in all its mystery and magic.  Everything is new and exciting, everything - a bubble, a snowflake, a mud puddle, a flower - is a gift. But something in the process of growing up that magic and wonderment is no longer part of our make-up.  Just the mere process of becoming an adult and living in the adult world with all of it's hardships and day to day struggles we become encrusted, hard and sometimes jaded.  We lose our joy, our eagerness to embrace life.  We begin to trudge along, instead of skipping, we withdraw instead of explore and say "too old for that".  We fail to even get down on our knees to discover the small world right beneath our feet.


This retreating is so common that when we meet a vibrant, joy-filled older person, she stands out as a singular exception.  We don't have to lose that happiness or eagerness of youth.

Dawna Markova shares a story in the book "Simple Pleasures of a Garden" about such a woman.  "Several years ago I was walking in March along a gravel road that led to the ocean in Rhode Island. A very old and thin woman came hobbling down a driveway toward me.  I waved and continued walking, but as I passed, she grabbed my arm, turned around and began to pull me in the direction of her house. I instantly thought of the witch in Hansel and Gretel, and tried to pull back, but that only made her clutch tighter around my wrist.  She didn't cackle, so I relented.

"She didn't say a word, in fact, until we approached her house: a shingle-style cottage with green shutters and a front lawn erupting everywhere in purple crocus. She released me there, throwing up her arms and shouting, "Look at the splendor!  Isn't it a miracle?"


This old woman was open to the magic, beauty and joy of life.  Her sparkling eyes and eagerness to share made her and everything around her more vibrant and alive.  We just need to reach for that sense of gratitude, when we do, we can become like little children again, seeing the world for the first time.

"The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common."  ~  Ralph Waldo Emerson

14 comments:

Carol said...

I LOVE this! Yes, keep noticing -everything- and hold on to the joy !

AFishGirl said...

So true, Deanna. I like to imagine a small invisible switch and when it goes into "on" I can see all those things that are magical and the worries and cares of "grownup mind" fall away. It is an amazing world, every inch of it. Here's to seeing and embracing.

kelly said...

thank you for this deanna...you are such a blessing today. as much as i try to live in gratitude, the worries of this life sometimes get to me. today i will seek to find my child-like joy and wonder.

Linda said...

A very important message! We should always notice the wonder that surrounds us and revel in it! It would certainly put some people in a better mood! Thanks for the reminder!

Kim Stevens said...

Probably one of my favorite posts of yours here Deanna! The journey of finding joy is what has kept me from going off the deep end in the last few months and I'm so grateful that I still can find joy in all the small things. We went to the beach this weekend and it was so lovely and I was so happy that I literally did skip right into the water and OH, it felt so good! But....gotta run now 'cause I have five butterflies that are meeting their new life today - WHOO HOO! Happy Friday...xo

CarolHart said...

Wonderful, uplifting post Deanna and I love your photographs. Have a joyful weekend my friend.

heyjudephotography said...

A great reminder to try to see the wonder of things. Beautiful photos, beautiful words. Thanks for the reminder Deanna. :)

Katie said...

oh, this is just so good, deanna. i can just picture that little old woman throwing up her hands in delight .

Dotti said...

Such beautiful photos ... that little girl is too precious! And such sage advice.

terriporter said...

Deanna, I love this post and it is you, my dear, who "stand out as a singular exception". If anyone sees the bright side of things, it is definitely you. You set a good example for the rest of us. Thank you!

Nina said...

To preserve the open mind and curiosity of a child - to notice the little joys and miracles in everyday are creating a path of happiness in our lives ~ Your thoughts and beautiful pictures convoy a precious message! So touched about the elderly lady in our story, who wanted to show the beauty if the green forest!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

A very timely reminder.. I wish I were more like the little old lady.

Anonymous said...

Deanna,
You are right! Even at my young age I needed to hear this today. Thank You!

Robyn
http://theranchwifechronicles.com/

Jeanne said...

Very uplifting post Deanna, and isn't photography a wonderful tool for seeing all of the magic in this world which is available right in front of our eyes!

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