Ducks

 I wandered across the street to my outside spot in my pj's around 7 am. I had neglected to make time for it the week before as work and school seemed never ending. I was only even awake this morning because my roommate's boyfriend's dog spent the night with us and he is a morning pup. While he sniffed around, tail in full force, I stared blankly at the nature in front of me. 

Nothing initially came to mind. I was running through my treacherous to-do list of the day and silently mourning my lack of free time. Bugsy (the pup) continued to frolic when something in the trash-filled water caught my eye. Two ducks swam lazily around one another. One nipped at the other and his playmate chaotically flew onto a tipped-over shopping cart in the water. The other duck tried unsuccessfully to reach it, in what quickly developed into a game of tag. They continued swimming in and around the cart for several minutes before moving on downstream. 

I didn't bring my phone with me so I do not have a picture, but I do have a lasting image in my head. One of ducks sneaking a little extra joy into their day. I don't know where they were swimming to but they were making their journey so fun. In the most cliché way, it reminded me of how everyday is just the path to somewhere. If we don't pay attention to the journey we will wake up and be wherever we were going, envious of those who took a little longer, but enjoyed their time.

I felt this tied into the quote we discussed last week about a race - on foot and by vehicle, who will win? I often view my days through a lens of efficiency. How much can I accomplish in the least amount of time? How much can I get done? There is little room for playing with shopping carts when you see your tasks like this. Even worse, there is little desire. I do not see a broken tree and wish to cross across it while I am on a run. Why? Because I am running to get in my exercise, so I can be more productive later. The novelty of a natural balance beam is lost on me because my mindset is one which demands that every activity I do must meet a need. How fun must it be to see the tipped over shopping cart and use it in passing for fun, and then move along. 

Comments

  1. williams.dan76October 7, 2020 at 6:50 AM

    Thanks for posting. This is really an enjoyable, warm, and perceptive post. Taking time for a little fun and enjoyment is--in my thinking--one of the keys to happiness. You're right, we all need to feel less driven by work and more open to mindful pauses to enjoy, and have a little fun with those around us.

    ReplyDelete
  2. kennedy o'kelleyNovember 4, 2020 at 4:14 PM

    I loved reading your description of the ducks and the cart. I think it could be very successful as a children's book, because it's fun and entertaining, with a light-hearted message to enjoy all of our bits of time. (:

    ReplyDelete

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