Living future nostalgias, a lesson from the boy who wears odd socks.

What do you truly savour about your life?

Could it be your career? Friends? Travel? Food? Sleeping in? Loved ones? Ice cream??? {For me, tiger tail on a sugar cone. Plain and simple.  There will never be another flavour invented in the Universe to me, that comes close to rivaling tiger tail.}

Are you focused on any one particular thing, or do you invite in a synchronized swimming chorus of singing prose to help you backstroke amidst the rivers of colour delivered up faithfully to you each day? Do you sway to the tidal rhythms of your ashes to ashes existence? Do you obey your intuition regardless of what your brain tells you are potential hazards? {Remember the brain is bullshit and the tummy is truth...listen to your tummy, easy peasy lemon squeezy.} Are your nights lit by a loving moon full of promise holding dreams? Are you fully embracing your ideas without shooing them away because you are strong and wise and don't let obstacles get in your way because you don't even entertain the idea of an obstacle?

Then I say good for you!  Keep savouring, keep reaping what you sow, and may the karma of what you share come back to you a thousand fold.

Not that I'm suggesting life is without sorrows, in fact sometimes quite the opposite.  I think so much about the colour of life lately and how it has desaturated for some important people in my life.  I am not suggesting we all walk around in a "rosy glasses"-induced fog, but could we strive to savour the nows that are so generously dealt to us?  My friends who hurt remind me every day to embrace the ones I love, for just loving them and being present when they need me is such a tremendous gift that I am so amazed at the wonders it can do for them.  In fact being present is the greatest gift you can give that allows you to reap all the benefits too. 

And guess what? That is all we can do.  (Our best.) That is it.  Be present.

Live your future nostalgia's. The boy who introduced me to the concept is a world traveler, a teacher, and a lover of photography, art, life, and last but most certainly not least a lover of great music.   We can all learn from him, right?  Be available with your full attention wherever you are.  Easy.  Simple.  We have to live in this imperfect world but we can do wonders for our happiness level if we focus on the things and people that bring us joy.  The rest isn't up to us, only our choices and our reactions are.

So, enjoy your ice cream and stop bitching about your neighbour.  You are wasting your time and you are likely making yourself ill. Instead, I beg of you to attack your life like the greatest challenge that has ever been issued, and float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. (Need a visual? Get in the ring with life.  Lace up your gloves and start to dance....POW.  Deliver a punch.  Then keep delivering punches while dancing...claim your title. Ahhh, good match at the end of the road.  You'll be able to bow and thank your opponent.  Once he wakes from his knock out that is...)

Be free, be generous. Eat more ice cream. Get busy making nostalgic things happen.

xo

Comments

[Kim Mailhot]

This is a magnificent post ! Yes, yes, yes ! Some days it is harder than others to do this - and those are the days it is most worth while to dive into this precious moment and stay there !!!!
By the way, I thought I was the only person on the planet who worships TIGERTAIL ICECREAM !!!! I have such a hard time finding it here in the States and when I went to my sister's house in Quebec a while back, she had bought me a whole container which was one of the best gifts I ever got ! I shared it with her and her kiddos (didn't want to at all but hey...). What a treat !
Enjoy these sweet licorice swirled moments of orange, beautiful, beautiful girl !
Here's to

[Tara Bradford]

Well said, my wise friend. xoxox

[~Sheila @ tempus fugit~]

Regarding nostalgia, my dad (your grandfather) once said,
"There were no 'good old days'. Often times were quite bleak, it's only with time and perspective and the right attitude that we can look back and see the humour, and love that saw us through".
So remember the good, learn from the bad and enjoy each and every day!
hugs
xx

[Swirly]

What a great expression ~ I love it! You always give me a lovely little sparkle every time I come here. :)

[Kath]

What a very poignant post. I felt my heart rising and my soul saying "Yes, I am!" to all your questions. And strangely, I am knitting a second pair of socks in a row where the two in the pair don't match ... an oddness of wool bought at an outlet, but I've decided I like my mismatched (albeit subtly mismatched) socks.
You are a dear sweet gift in my life and I cherish you.
xo

[susanna]

Great post, Gillian! You have me wanting to jump up and shout YES! Listen to my heart! Live Life to its fullest! Be generous with friends!

You and my husband are the only ones I know who make a beeline for the tiger tail icecream when it's available. Have you noticed how it's become a rare flavour these days? I remember it was the big flavour when I was a kid.

I'm glad I dropped by for a visit this afternoon. I'm getting back on my blogging horse after a summer of being laaazy.

[Marilyn]

Definitely well said. When we open our selves up we feel the joys as well as the sorrow more intensely. Now tell me what is tiger tail ice cream?

[gilly bird]

yes, here's to!!! love the tiger tail
since childhood and nothing can rival it

love ali too, such style and grace in the ring..made knock outs fun
xoxo

[gilly bird]

yes, agreed
loved that man and still do, he was a wise one. xoxo

[gilly bird]

:) thanks lovely xo

[gilly bird]

takes one to know one, Sparklette xo

[gilly bird]

thanks Kath
:)
xo
I cherish you also and we should meet, yes?

[gilly bird]

welcome back Susanna
You always remind me of NYC and I must travel there soon to meet you. I want to see John Derian with you and have some drinks in Cafe Wha? too!

xoxo

[gilly bird]

M tiger tail is licorice swirled with orange, so perfectly....so deliciously!

Open is the key to all things. Being open...yes.
xo

[Account Deleted]

Gillian, you add beauty and wonder to my life! A thousand thank-yous just for today.

Limner

[Tanya @ Life in 3D]

These thoughts, these ponderings, these revelations have been running around the back of my spirit for awhile now...waiting patiently for ME to give them time, consideration..an invitation to come in. Life is...the NOW...it's the beauty, the tragedy, the simplicity, the complexities, the raspberry lemonade and the ice cream right now. I love love love this post. xo