Joy through mindfulness

Guess who I had lunch with...Share
Yesterday at 3:39pm | Edit Note | Delete
So every day, well almost every day around noon I get off my butt and go out to lunch. I drive down to a little dock in Patchogue, Mascot Dock to be exact. (Hmm maybe that’s not the name, anyway) We are creatures of habit so I usually park in the same spot overlooking the water. I open my book (Awakening Joy, for those who are interested) and try to get lost in the book, the sound of the water and the feeling of the cool breeze. Then he pulls up. Every day a young guy pulls up in his SAAB, eats his sandwich, sips his San Pellegrino water, listens to the radio and pulls away within a half hour...at most. (And no I am not a stalker but he sits next to me every single day and does the exact same thing) Well today he pulls in, top down, windows open and radio blaring. He is listening to some kind of sports commentary, and he is definitely in his own little world. I instantly think to myself, OK is this asshole going to turn down his radio or what? Well he doesn't, he pops open his $4. bottle of water and starts his lunch. I rolled up the window, hoping to block it out...nope still too loud and way too hot for that. So I started the car and pulled out, off to work I go. I had at least a half hour left, so instead I pulled into another little parking lot next to the dock. Now this is more like it peace and quiet, for a mom of three that is a very rare and wonderful thing. From this spot I can see the water, but it is far off. There is a field of grass, but a construction fence was blocking my view of the entire field. All I could see was water and sky. I take a breath and start to read, and then I heard something in the distance. The sound was so familiar and brought me someplace I haven't been in a while. An acoustic guitar. I didn’t see anyone playing; it was like it was coming from the heavens. So I closed my eyes and listened, call me crazy but for those few minutes my dad was there. It was like he was sitting right next to me playing his favorite tune, and I could almost hear his raspy voice belting out and old Eagles song. I was caught in a moment, and he was right there with me enjoying the beautiful day. The music stopped, and I opened my eyes. I couldn’t see who really was playing because the fence was blocking my view. A tear came to my eye, and I smiled because I just spent lunch with my dad one more time.
I could have been pissed off at the guy in the SAAB, and went back to work in a self inflicted crappy mood. Instead I felt joy all around me.

Look for it, it’s there.

Hence, there is a time to go ahead and a time to stay behind.
There is a time to breathe easy and a time to breathe hard.
There is a time to be vigorous and a time to be gentle.
There is a time to gather and a time to release.
Can you see things as they are
And let them be all on their own?
~ Lao-tzu