The Grass Is Still Green
Posted: Saturday, February 21, 2009
by Susan Thom
Nature is such a constant reminder of the flexibility and resilience of the spirit. No matter what kind of day or week we may be having, the grass is still green, and the sky remains a brilliant blue. It's almost maddening at times. The way we may be feeling might be more like a blizzard, or rain storm, and yet, the flowers are standing straight up, looking towards the Heavens for their daily life's energy. Seeing one beautiful daisy, or a perfect rose can elevate our mood and make us forget what we are worried about, if even for a short time.
We may be going through a situation, and as we drive through the mountains, we are thinking about the components of that situation, and we miss what we usually are in awe of. We have mountains around our home that are absolutely gorgeous, whether green with summer's moss or white with snow and sparkling with ice. What a shame to allow my mind to wander from nature and the beauty of life and creation and God's love, to dwell on negative thoughts. In an instant, I can realize I drove right past an honest, natural, and spiritual space in life and time, but was too preoccupied to notice. Instead, I am handing my toll to the man, and wondering everytime I drive away, why I said thank you. Thank you for taking my money to pass this bridge. I guess it's just instinctual. I have gone through enough of a change that I have for the most part, trained my brain to enjoy every little thing. I love the way my maltipoo cocks his head back and forth when I talk to him. He looks like a little robotic puppy.
I especially love walking around the property and finding little wild flowers stuck in amongst a patch of grass. One lone little flower, where did it come from? I had one in my cactus garden, and the simplicity of God's plan for us was in front of my eyes: learn to live together. This frail flower was flourishing while surrounded by potentially harmful plants. And the potentially harmful plants seem to protect it. I can't miss that. I have to focus on not letting my thoughts control my life to the point of missing out on beauty and love. It's very easy to do. I think we've all gone somewhere, and realized when we got there that we didn't remember the drive. Too many thoughts circling the mind, causing a fog, and deterring us from appreciating the things that really matter. I try to see the sweet older man directing traffic for the little school kids. He can't get paid much, but I bet he wants to do something, and this fits his need. How wonderful to welcome children each morning and afternoon.
I want to see the woman in the wheel chair, putting groceries into her little basket, and pray for her, and be appreciative to God for allowing me the privilege to be able to walk. We could all be worse off than we are. We might not think so, but I wouldn't entertain the thought. It can get worse. Will we still be able to see the rainbow, or the baby rabbits in a little hole by where we park our car? Will the stars be just as bright, or will we stop looking? Will our child's picture, we can't really make out, bring warmth to our heart and make us proud? Life must still go on even in hard times, which most of us are experiencing. We can't lose sight of the woodpecker, or the cardinal and all it's brilliance, or the fish that just jumped up out of the lake and made us catch our breath and smile. Balancing hard times with pleasant ones is the only way I can figure to keep moving forward. Not spending more time on one than the other.
I think maybe we need to take care of the "needs" of our lives, the bills, the house, the kids, pets, cars, etc., but as we are muttling through those things, we can still catch a hummingbird outside the winter, defying anything we've ever thought of; wings that could flap so fast they could sustain this little bird in flight. We can watch that movie that always makes us feel good. A nice bath with aromatherapy products, is a nice way to spend an hour or so. We can read some more of the book we are involved with, relaxing at the same time. We might call a friend or family member, do something we've been wanting to do for a while, which will make us feel better, or grab a bite to eat, go to a movie, e mail, write, read, take a nice nap. These things and others, will help sustain us when we feel weakened by the inequities of life. Until we can balance the ups and downs, and not drop to the depths of each, I think we will feel the pain of everyday situations and problems.
As well, we will lose sight of the grass and it's unique color green, looking like velvet, or the group of daisies that just appeared near the driveway, or the smell of clean clothes coming out of the dryer. We can do both. We can deal with our circumstances, and enjoy the blessings we have been given. It just takes a little balance.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Good article Susan, it offers hope for the future.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi david,yes, i thought it was time for a little hope to shine through.may hope stay alive,my best regards,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Hi Sue, you could almost stop writing as soon as you said where there is love there is hope. How big is that?! Although, I am glad you didn't stop there. good job!! love, tPlease log in to respond to this comment.hi t,thanks for reading and commenting.i don't want the darkness to cover the beauty that is free, and there for our enjoyment.thanks for the support,best regards,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
What a wonderful way to say, "Stop and smell the roses". You have also shown us that God shows His love through the nature around us. Wonderful and uplifting write. Thank you.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi david,i have come to rely on nature more and more, and people less and less.i don't want to miss any of the beauty and honesty nature brings.thank you for reading and responding,my best regards,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
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