The sun shone brightly and the earth was very much alive with deep green grass and bright wildflowers in a rainbow of color. Driving down the winding road, neighborhoods and homes on either side, it just kept going on and on. With minds strictly focused on picking up an order of books at the library in the nearby town, we went on our merry little way. Driving and chatting and not really noticing much of anything except the road right before our eyes.
In a moment of distraction, I turned my head and to my right, I encountered tremendous beauty. Utter delight filled my heart when I saw the meticulously kept garden behind the old fence. Colors so bright and vivid. Flowers of all sorts. An absolute surprise...hidden on the corner of a street, tucked aside in the curve of the road. Beauty in such abundance. Growing wild and free, completely at ease.
That day I wrote about above was just an ordinary day in late June. We were simply going to pick up some books I'd placed on hold at the library in a nearby town because the towns right where we live don't have a library. Usually, when we make the drive to this library we just take the main thoroughfare through the city...nothing but businesses and lots of traffic and chaos. On this day, however, it was right smack in the middle of rush hour traffic so my mom decided to take the back roads. Now, we are back roads people and only take the main streets and highways when absolutely necessary. However, since we had recently moved around the time this moment took place, we took those busy, chaotic roads more often simply because we live much further out than we used to and a lot of things are quite a drive away. This day, though, we took the back roads. It felt like we were getting back to our roots...just driving through the peacefulness of nature, slower-paced and fewer cars and people. That's this introvert's idea of perfect!
No barefooted, tree climbing, frog holding, mud pie making, cloud spotting, puddle stomping, bird calling, wild foraging, moon gazing, firefly chasing, fort building, creek following, rocking hunting moment with Mother Nature is ever wasted.
-Nicolette Sowder-
This day taught me a lesson and reminded me of something I've known for a long time, but had forgotten:
Slow down and take the back roads. Savour the scenic route. Take in the unexpected beauty that awaits you around the corner. Expect to be delighted and keep your eyes open for little surprises along the way.
All is grace, even these small gifts of loveliness that you find along the path of slow living. Embrace a life of finding beauty in ordinary places, in hidden corners of the earth, and magic and wonder in nature.
This is the rich life, where you bloom and grow and flourish.
Another lesson that I am often reminded of whenever I find myself surrounded by the beauty and wonder of nature is that nature does not rush anything. Everything has its chance to shine in just the perfect time and in the most beautiful of ways.
We've driven past this hidden garden many times since it first greeted us that warm, sunny late June day and the color is all gone...it had its time to shine and shine it did. It's been in the resting, dormant phase as its roots prepare for another show in probably the next couple of months. Nature can surely teach us many things and just a few of those things are to slow down and look for beauty in the ordinary, hidden place. Do not rush anything for the perfect time will come and it will be beautiful. Always be expectant...for delight and little surprises along the way. These are little gifts that Life gives you. Live slowly, simply and richly. This is the only way to bloom and grow and flourish. This is the abundant life and it's found on the back roads and in the quiet places...and in the ordinary and hidden.
My challenge to you today, dear one, is to take the back roads...expect to be delighted and to encounter beauty on your journey. Slow down and savour everything that comes your way. Find magic in the ordinary and hidden. The secrets to life exist there...open your eyes and SEE.
Then you will truly come alive to the beauty, wonder, and magic of this world.