Expect To Be Enchanted
Around every corner and some of the straight aways in between, if you come to expect to be enchanted you most thoroughly will. “Perception is Reality” as was so emblazoned on the door to my kids’ sixth grade class last year, and truer words were never spoken. Opening oneself up to the pure delightment that can await behind every bend is just such a fun way to go through the day. Yesterday as I was having a morning coffee I looked out on the street and suddenly to my utter amazement and amusement came along this perfectly pink little butterfly strolling down the sidewalk. With pink fairy like wings, a pink leotard, tutu and slippers, pink cheeks peeking out from a shock of white blonde bangs with pig tails and the most adorable pink antennae you ever saw - to cute for words….Then a little later in the day, pulling up to a parking space at the bank there was this enormous tree out front, a kind I had never seen before, with clusters of radiant orange puffballs coming off the branches - completely exploding with these blooms, that it seemed to make the entire surrounding sky iridescent and surreal - stunning…
I used to be a bit prone to road rage - well maybe that statement’s a little extreme - let’s say instead, I used to get extremely frustrated on a regular basis with my fellow travelers out there, and would have no problem voicing within the confines of my own vehicle my distaste for there driving ability, or the appearance of an entire lack there of. I finally figured out that participating in this particular activity was not only detrimental to my blood pressure, but also a real drag to be around if you happened to be a passenger when I decided to let it all loose. I made a choice that it was high time I change my tactics, and I forced myself to start smiling and waving at people instead when I got those urges to vent - and after a short time - what a relief is all I can say- this just made all the difference in the world to me when I was driving, and now I find it fun to play games and see how many people will react happily back, and you know, most of them do, and then the whole experience of moving from here to there throughout the day, just becomes a huge pleasureful operation.
So those are just a couple of examples, but then I thought, well why just limit it to the street, why not expect to be completely charmed and colossally captivated all the time?
Okay, so maybe not always in a big, dramatically, public way - that could be somewhat annoying to those around you, but an inside job - completely doable. It’s kind of like expecting the best out of people for example. When you have that expectancy, in all likelihood that is what you will receive - I think 9 times out of 10 (not documented but an educated assumption) they will be overwhelmed to give you their absolute best at that very point in time, plus as mentioned previously, it is ALL your own perception.
A slight diversion…I have left you for awhile, and now am in the middle of watching the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. TALK ABOUT ENCHANTMENT! WOWWWW!!!
I have always enjoyed watching both summer and winter Olympics and especially adore the opening ceremonies because you get to see all of the beautiful people with all of their gorgeous faces from a great representation of the many beautiful countries in the world in all of their fabulous costumes - I know there is always more than meets the eye on this evening, political and otherwise, but the expressions on the many faces of the atheletes, whether they exhibit austere stoicism, jet lag and exhaustion, anxiousness, reserved national pride, humility, extreme joy and amazement, extreme fear, lightheartedness and a sense of global unity, or if it is completely unreadable… it is such a moving vision, the most extreme palpable example (even if it is an illusion - and isn’t it all anyway?) of global solidarity - you can’t help but be enchanted, and in awe, and it brings to me anyway a great feeling of hope for us all. I like this night. I Love THIS NIGHT!!! You enjoy it too - wherever you are…