Havala — I really love how you draw that connection between the “direct” road and the slower, “scenic” one we end up taking many times in life (whether by choice or because life nudges us there…)
“Taking my cue from the spring, and from the scenery along the back road, I too am meandering, biding my time, working to release attachments to "my" timing and plans and instead really watching to see what appears around each corner.”
Love the way you said this… I remember reading your essay about leaving the fed job and choosing this path... The way you tell it (with so much honesty) makes the unknown feel less like something to solve and more like something to savor…
Thank you for your thoughtful comment VJ! So many of these invitations to slow down or pause appear, whether we want them or not. Thich Nhat Hanh teaches treating a red light in traffic as a “bell of mindfulness” (https://youtu.be/44MWDjN56Og?si=R5L4dZQBg-UuP4cd) - perhaps an advanced practice in our “get there” culture, but one worth considering.
Thank you, Havala. I just got around to watching this. I love how he said, “Life… its address is here and now.” So easy to forget... It was very peaceful to watch. Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks for so artfully sharing something we yearn for but so often discard. Cheers to the dirt roads, the cows, the courtesy waves!!
Havala — I really love how you draw that connection between the “direct” road and the slower, “scenic” one we end up taking many times in life (whether by choice or because life nudges us there…)
“Taking my cue from the spring, and from the scenery along the back road, I too am meandering, biding my time, working to release attachments to "my" timing and plans and instead really watching to see what appears around each corner.”
Love the way you said this… I remember reading your essay about leaving the fed job and choosing this path... The way you tell it (with so much honesty) makes the unknown feel less like something to solve and more like something to savor…
Thank you for your thoughtful comment VJ! So many of these invitations to slow down or pause appear, whether we want them or not. Thich Nhat Hanh teaches treating a red light in traffic as a “bell of mindfulness” (https://youtu.be/44MWDjN56Og?si=R5L4dZQBg-UuP4cd) - perhaps an advanced practice in our “get there” culture, but one worth considering.
Thank you, Havala. I just got around to watching this. I love how he said, “Life… its address is here and now.” So easy to forget... It was very peaceful to watch. Thank you for sharing this.
The scenic route tends to have so many cozy side quests and adventures. I enjoyed your feelings on this :)
I’m a huge sucker for a good side quest. Thank you for reading!