“People who get excited about stars, moon and sunset are my kind of people”
I saw this the other day and thought, “yep”. At 56 I feel I know myself far better than twenty or so years ago when I was striving and driving to achieve future goals and barely ever stopped to appreciate the now. These days I’m far more present. Just in the last few days, I think of:
- The first sip of a pint of Guinness in a London pub when meeting up with a fellow Kilkenomics regular, savouring both the taste and the certainty that we would have a wonderful and sparkling conversation about who knows what.
- “From the Campsies over Christmas, I still dream of Memphis!“. Belting out that line in the concert closer as I watched Deacon Blue from “up in the Gods” at the Albert Hall. First time seeing them live having first been handed a copy of Raintown and told “listen to this, they are brilliant!” back in the late 80s.
- Realising I needed new clothes, with some dread I allowed myself to be taken to the big John Lewis on Oxford Street with someone close to me acting as my personal stylist. My natural aversion to shopping was transformed when I saw their smile and felt their energy as they picked out clothes for me to try.
- Sparking up a conversation on the train into town as the man opposite was wearing a pristine condition British Army combat jacket. I remarked that I had not seen one like that for some time. He then shared stories and pictures of 23 years of active service for the rest of the journey, with my tiny army experience providing just enough context to enable me to understand some of his journey and to fully and wholesomely acknowledge him for his service.
- Getting a little lost on a busy night in Soho walking back to the tube station, then looking up and seeing the BT Tower all lit up because, well, you see that kind of thing in London.
- Oh, and yesterday, after helping with an errand then knowing I would have some time free, I felt the sun on a cold day so popped over to a food truck nearby to say hello to the owner and operator and to savour one of their awsome bacon rolls.
Take a moment for yourself and think of a few things you have been present to in the last few days that you can be excited about, that bring a smile.