Ten times a day something happens to me like this – some strengthening throb of amazement – some good sweet empathic ping and swell. This is the first, the wildest and the wisest thing I know: that the soul exists and is built entirely out of attentiveness.”
Primroses, Violets, Honesty and Whitethorn. Our ditches and hedgerows are suddenly full of this brief Spring flowering.
And the thought just crossed the outer edges of my mind, as to how many more Springs there may be for us? And I hunkered in and lingered even longer………
I heard a podcast where the person was talking about studies that show bad experiences are like velcro, they cling to our mind immediately. Good experiences, like moments of enjoyment or appreciating something beautiful, unfortunately, are not the same. It takes at least 15 seconds of sitting still and taking in the experience for it to have a positive effect on our minds. So your instinct was good. And this is something I keep reminding myself of every time I notice the cool shapes of the clouds or the way light is shining and creating interesting shadows or music that sends shivers down my spine. This kind of pausing is definitely not a waste of time. 🙂
Maery Rose that is so interesting…..sticking like velcro……dear dear. Isn’t it all we can do really to soak up the beauty around us and somehow sink into those shivers down the spine!!! Very well put!!
Hi, Catherine. What a bouquet you’ve gifted us with! These flower photos are so uplifting they could stand alone, but Mary Oliver’s words were a ribbon and yours the bow that brought everything together so beautifully. Today will definitely be a day for listening to streams and being still enough for the birds to land. Thank you!
Thank you Janet for being here and bringing your poetic vision to my humble offering!!! Mary Oliver as always lights the way:~)
Gorgeous Irish Spring! Your bite in the tail gave me a bit of a shake up Catherine, so I’m lingering a while longer in your rejuvenating Spring. xx
Only at the edges of my mind Jane……but it’s often there…….how many more Springs, Summers, Winters?????………Pulls me up when I start moaning…….xx
Still learning wordpress!!
Gloriously beautiful and I do love the quote so much, too!
How is it that almost any quote from Mary Oliver will do that on any day…….she is simply amazing…….thanks Susan for enjoy it today. x
Love Mary Oliver and your images are exquisite! In all my years of spring here in the Sonoran desert of Arizona, I have never experienced such beauty! Thanks for sharing from your side of the world! xo
O thank you Robin! We live in such different and and beautiful parts of the world. While the images here may make it all seem very abundant, more and more you have to know where to find the small and delicate wild things…….which may make them all the more precious x
Restful, beautiful and yet also inspiring – beautiful post.
Good morning my dear! Always lovely to meet you here. And thank you, it’s lovely to know that this Spring post resonated with you too:~)
I love the way you tell stories with your photography.
You listen so well with your eyes:)
Thanks for sharing this deliciousness,
Jennifer
Jennifer as always you write with such heart and design! Thank you so much ……tis easy really to linger and soak up this kind of deliciousness…..xx
Spring always comes to me as a surprising marvel, with its sudden burst of colours. Year after year, as if there will be an eternity of springs (I seems that I don’t like to think about how many spring are left to us)
But I like the idea that the soul exists and is built entirely of attentiveness. Precious words. And gorgeous photos.
Amelie, it is wonderful isn’t it how Spring always comes…..even after the harshest greyest winter? I have spent the morning photographing hares who don’t seem to give a hoot about the bigger questions and who are getting on with happy families as we speak! Attentiveness is a good antidote too……..
I too am slowing and trying to savor every second….spring is slow to bloom here but oh so lovely!