For those of you who follow me and Our Blog, you probably know that I am fortunate enough to spend much of my time in beautiful – and generally peaceful – Malibu, California. I drive up and down Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1) most days between my home and office and regular meetings in the city. Usually, I have the pleasure of watching “my dolphins” as I call them swim through the waters and various birds frolic in the wind. Well this morning, I got stuck in traffic on the highway due to a big accident and ongoing construction, so I didn’t just catch a glimpse of the birds out of the corner of my eye as I would if I were driving the speed limit. Instead, I got to sit and watch them for quite awhile as our cars barely crawled on by.
As frustrating as it was to be late for my 8:30am meeting – unlike in my past, I truly strive to be on time at all times these days, so being late has become a real pet peeve that can be more than frustrating… – it gave me a rare opportunity to simply sit and watch a couple of pelicans in particular as they floated on top of the water grabbing an occasional fish for breakfast. Appreciating the local marine life is a true pleasure in my life, as it always gives me renewed perspective. I haven’t always been a “glass is half full” kind of guy. Somehow I’ve come to learn though that life isn’t about being half anything – full or empty. The glass is always full. It’s just a matter of how you look at it and whether or not you choose to see at it that way yourself.
Now if this sounds too squishy and esoteric for you, it’s ok! Sometimes I even joke with myself about living in a place I affectionately call Abundance-ville. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve spent many a night in Scarcity Town, USA. It’s just that the accommodations are not any fun. In fact, they leave a lot to be desired, so I try not to stay any longer than I have to when I find myself stopping in for awhile!
Basking in the sun like my new friend the pelican is a choice. It’s not an act of God or mere prediction by a meteorologist. It is a conscious decision each of us has the power to choose if we simply stop and reflect and are present to all the gifts we do have in our lives. Sure.
Many of us live in a society where more is better, and the grass always look greener on the other side. That doesn’t make what we do have any less special though, and it sure doesn’t make it a bad place to be.
Well today, I’m basking in the sun. Care to join me?
