“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have…”Eckhart Tolle
Reflections: Every Moment Counts… Sahasrara – symbolizes detachment from illusion
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You would think at my age (not to mention with the amount of life experiences I have) I would have learned to not assume anything, or to judge by personal experience only.
The Universe still views me as a child, I think.
When I look back (hopefully years from now) at the end of my life this will be forever the Summer of Enlightenment. I’ve perceived so many truths from the back of that Harley that those experiences have set the tone for the summer months. I’ve learned, grown, and been amazed and humbled…witnessed and traveled…both physically and spiritually…and apparently there is more in store still.
Savannah has a fairly large homeless population. The mild weather and constant flow of tourists and their pocket change are a big draw to them, so we get used to seeing them- both near I-95, where I live, and in the parks and on the streets downtown. This week we were riding, and I happened to glance down Broughton while at a red light. I noticed a gentleman crossing the intersection. He stopped to pick up a cigarette butt, and carried it away in his hand. “Oh damn” I thought…”I’m so glad I’m not in that place, and that I quit smoking more than two years ago.”
*These are the moments that the Universe lives for*
So when he proceeded to the next trash can and deposited the butt, it put the E-brake on that entire chain of thought.
“W-w-w-what?”
That’s right…and not only did he deposit that one, but as I watched he picked up two more butts AND a piece of paper trash, all of which he tossed in the can on Broughton. Yep. This homeless person, to whom I obviously thought myself to superior to was cleaning up the streets of Lady Savannah. Not because he had to, or because it was community service, but because he was moved to do so.
I’m ashamed that my first thought was that he was picking up the butt to smoke…but I’m hoping that you reading this will forgive my human shortcomings and see instead the greater lesson that things aren’t always as they appear, the old adage about “Don’t assume” is true (‘cause I surely felt like an ASS), but most importantly even the most humble and unassuming soul can become not only a teacher, but a hero to someone.
And in these troubled times, I’m finding that my “heroes” are as varied as the lessons they bring.
Until next time-
Don’t yawn into the wind (true story)
Tracy
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I cook, write, take photos, worry, work, pay bills, love, laugh, sing, unapologetically promote Pit Bull awareness, and live for my weekends with the family, furkids, and friends. I love this beautiful city, and one of my favorite things to do is to explore Savannah, and just for a moment, see her through the eyes of a tourist. People don't do that often enough. Familiar things appear different when you take away the "knowing"...they become fresh and new and mysterious and funky...
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