Thursday, January 16, 2020

Planning Ahead

This is the time of year that we tend to look to the future. Making a few plans is good. It gives us something to work toward. As long as those plans are realistic we might even outline how we will accomplish our goals.

However we should not spend so much time on the future that we forget about today. Life is for living. If you are walking down the street and see some beautiful flowers enjoy their beauty. Smell the fragrance. Touch the petals and feel their delicate silkiness. If a small child is playing take the time to observe the joy the child is feeling. You will smile with joy yourself. If you have a good meal take the time to taste and savor it. If you have good dinner companions have a lively conversation with a lot of laughter.

Dreaming of far away luxurious vacations is enticing. You might even be able to take some of those exotic trips. But there are so many places to go and things to see near home.

Plan some time away from home. You need not go far. It need not be for a long time. You could go to a local museum or have a picnic at a local park. After all some of the best things to see are near to where you live.

Maybe a day trip. Go to a ball game in a nearby town. Visit a famous landmark and buy a few souvenirs. Many state parks have special celebrations at certain times of the year.  Take part in them.

Even a weekend can give you a real break from day-to-day doldrums. Spend a weekend camping and bird watching. Pick a nearby city. See what are the interesting places there and visit them. Eat at restaurants You might not try other times.

Too often we do not take advantage of places close to home. We always think we will do it later. Later is now.

18 comments:

  1. I've taken to short visits, a day or two, to out of town friends. Otherwise, time just goes past and we do not notice.

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    1. I think you do it the right way. Short trips when you feel like it. Staying active all the time.

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  2. You certainly have given us a wide choice of things to do and enjoy. I think the important take away is to look for or take time to be aware of the moments of your life no matter where you are.
    I always carry a pad and pencil in my purse. (most of us do) Most useful while sitting and waiting for the doctor to come into the examining room. I never know when a poem might come to mind. :)

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    1. I do not carry a purse so any thoughts are recorded on my phone. What I take to occupy my time while waiting is my Kindle. I read to my heart's content.

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    2. I was not sure I wanted it. I so love the feel of a book in my hands. Now I have no idea what I would do without it.

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  3. We took the weekend to celebrate my birthday this past Wednesday.
    It’s been delightful.
    R

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  4. Thank you for visiting and your kind words.

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  5. You really nailed it. Here we have lived close to the ocean, to the mtns, to Mexico, to D-Land. I have to admit we have not taken advantage of it all, just some of it.

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    1. When we first moved to Detroit we went to Canada pften. That dwindled down to nothing after a time. Now that I am back home I have been visiting a lot of the sights I took for granted as I was growing up.

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  6. wise inspiring post dear Emma :)))
    thank you so much simple precious thoughts you shared here

    life is too short to waste in worry of future or regret for past
    all we need is to live in moment we have in our hand :)
    once we are wise enough to realize this life is is beautiful :)
    hugs

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    1. Life is beautiful and we should enjoy it while we have it.

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  7. This is all so very true, Emma. We have lived in places which had many interesting places and we failed to see as many as available. That said, we do enjoy day trips and multi-state road trips (as you well know from our longer ones). Too often people search for far away adventures and ignore pleasures so close by like even a walk in their neighborhood or town.

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    1. Exactly! Just a walk around the block to see flowers the neighbors are growing is a joy.

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  8. It is my firm desire to never travel more than 100 miles from home, but Peggy is keen on a 50th anniversary trip in two years, so I can't very well say no. My reluctance to travel is primarily due to the five cats because at least one of them suffers a great deal when we're away.

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    1. Do you have a trusted friend who can kittysit for a week or so? I hope your trip will be a good one when the time comes.

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