The Breathing Prosperity blog

The other day I was reading a story in a book about coincidences, about a postcard sent to the children of a gentleman in condolence after he had passed away. On the beach in the picture in that postcard, unbeknownst to the sender, was the very man in question. He had been caught on camera, along with many other tourists, walking along the beach taking in the sights. The children were shocked and surely experienced a poignant moment when they recognized their father in the photo.

This led me to begin thinking about all the people who inadvertently get captured on my camera with all the traveling and photo-taking I do. Particularly in this age of digital photography, many of us snap pictures as fast as we can, knowing we can delete them later. Hundreds, thousands, perhaps millions of people have been caught in the outskirts of my snapshots over the years.

What is ‘Real’ Life?

If we are just sitting at home day after day, or we just go through the motions of working and returning home, we may not enjoy or participate in many photo opportunities. If, however, we ‘get out there’ and enjoy life, even if it’s just in our spare moments, we are bound to be caught in many photographs, both intentionally and accidentally. We can, therefore, use the number of pictures we’re in as a form of measurement of how much we are enjoying and wisely using up the moments of our lives. Of course we will never know definitively, but imagine the many pictures you have been in, from your childhood until now…and imagine how many you might be caught in if you were living the life of your dreams.

It doesn’t necessarily take a lot of money to enjoy your life – go see an art show, enjoy a night of jazz at a local lounge, or go to the beach or wander your city streets watching people. Sit in a park, lounge under a tree and get started on that book you’ve always wanted to write, play with some kids you know…get out there and enjoy life right now, instead of waiting for a perfect future which will never come. The more you do so, the more you be inadvertently captured in the photos of people around you who are also out enjoying life.

How many pictures are you in?…

Have you ever looked around you and noticed that everyone seems to be asleep?

I mean asleep as in not noticing their own lives passing them by…as in walking around trapped in their own thoughts or routines and not realizing the depth and joy of experience they are missing by ignoring the present moment?

In the early hours of Sunday morning I was on a plane returning from a lovely Caribbean holiday. Outside my window was an absolutely stunning view, and I believe the whole situation can be used as a metaphor.

Picture this: Off to the left a thunderstorm, with billowing, building clouds being lit up dramatically every few seconds with orange, white and blue streaks of lightning. Off to the right a serene full moon, and far below a vast expanse of water reflecting the orange-y full moon peacefully. Opposite, another aircraft heading the other way, its lights blinking in the darkness the only evidence of its passing. Above, a velvety dark sky carpeted with brilliant points of starlight. All this framed within one small plane window!

With this stunning array of beauty being displayed right beside me, I couldn’t help but pause my in-flight movie and gaze out in awe. Many times I gasped as the lightning lit up the clouds – it was indeed breathtaking.

Then I looked around the plane’s interior…insert scratching record sound here! Everyone else on the plane was either sleeping or watching a movie, entirely oblivious to the once-in-a-lifetime view they were missing just outside their windows. Only my husband – who had moved to another seat behind me so he could also gaze out the window (and he’s an airline pilot!) – and I noticed and appreciated the gift we were given. While we were tired and could easily have slept, the desire to capture this moment in our minds overrode the fatigue. Why were we the only ones?

All this to say, is it possible that you, too, are missing out on some life-changing experiences and possible sources of deep joy by being ‘asleep’ to your present moments?…