It’s a Saturday morning. I got up at 7am to try a BodyPump class at the gym for the first time. It was challenging as expected, but incredibly invigorating. I felt a surge of energy after, a sense of drive and eagerness to take on the day. Walking out of the gym, I was planning out each hour of my day and the several tasks to tackle. I thought, “wow, usually at this time I’d still be in bed! I’ve already completed a workout, amazing!”
The morning air was crisp and the gentle sunlight created a soft glow. Wanting to linger in the feeling, I sat on a bench in the park on the way home to savour the moment. The hum of vehicles on the road and a plane flying above filled the white noise. I was just about to put in my AirPods to drown it out and continue walking, when, ever so softly, I heard a sound in the distance. I looked, but couldn’t see anything. There was a faint thrum of strings being plucked. It almost felt like I was imagining it. Listening closely, the sound became clear: a wonderful traditional Chinese instrument, a pipa. Echoing through the trees, it complemented and enhanced the birds’ singing in the treetops as the wind whispered.
As I walked closer to the sound, I noticed a girl sitting in the grass twenty metres away from the man (facing his back), watching him play. It felt like I'd entered a Monet piece capturing a timeless scene about enjoying life's quiet pleasures. A deep sense of satisfaction stirred; gratitude for music meeting nature to create a pause in life's chaotic rhythm.
People often say how it's the simple things in life that can bring us the most joy, but it’s so easy to forget. The thought crossed my mind, “wow, if only we could consistently hear such beautiful instruments playing in the background around us - especially instead of that droning traffic”. Then I realised, we do have access to a constant flow of beautiful music around us: the birds singing, the rustling of leaves, the wind murmuring through trees... Yet, we tend to take it for granted. We don't take the time to pause, listen, and appreciate.
"Learn to appreciate small quiet moments, the ocean, a walk on the beach, time alone, your health, your strength, your smile, your life."
If I’d put my AirPods in as I habitually do when travelling anywhere, I wouldn't have heard or seen the man playing. It’s so easy to get swept up in the rush, stress, and obligations of every day that we miss the little moments of joy and beauty right in front of us.
It’s almost Christmas. Everyone is focused on getting the latest trendy items or the best deals in buying presents for friends and family. Perhaps the best gift we can give loved ones and ourselves is time - time to reflect on the year and recover; time to feel peace within ourselves; time to appreciate the things and people we have and the world around us; time to spend with our loved ones; time to be still.
“Everyone wants to be appreciated, so if you appreciate someone, don’t keep it a secret.”
Enjoy the festive season! It can be crazy and chaotic, but at the end of the day, it should be an opportunity to cherish and connect with those closest to us. Savour the present moment.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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