Stopping to Smell the Roses
Hello friends! I was out walking my dog on our usual morning stroll when she did something that took me by surprise. It seemed rather cliché, but nonetheless made me smile. She stopped and smelled a beautiful rose bush! Like you, I’ve both heard and used that well-worn phrase many times. But how many times have I actually done it?
A few days later, the pup and I were on a mountain hike, and she decided to take a detour down a steep ravine to the creek’s edge to get a drink of refreshing crystal-clear water. I decided to follow her to make sure that the current didn’t take her on an unexpected swim downstream. Climbing down the embankment, I found myself in a beautiful little creekside alcove. Silly puppy was bouncing around in the cold water having a blast. She had her drink, we got soaked, and back up the hill we went to return to the path. It was only a few minute respite but it was the highlight of my day (and hers as well, judging by the enthusiastic bounce in her step during the remainder of our hike). I’ve passed that steep path down to the creek many times, but can’t remember if I’ve ever ventured off the beaten path. Why not? Probably too lost in thought, or too worried about some insignificant matter, or too focused on completing the hike to pay attention to what was right in front of me!
Thank goodness for my dog (and yours)! They are masters at living in the present moment, taking the time to stop and smell (usually something other than roses if I am honest, but who’s counting). In our busy lives, with all our stresses and worries and preoccupations, we rarely take enough time to just be present. To pause for those brief simple moments where grace breaks through our self-absorption to remind us of the bigger beauty and goodness all around us. Walking with patients on their journey of advanced stages of cancer, I am reminded of the unexpected blessings that diminishing capabilities and limited time can afford. Less able to accomplish and more able to witness, those on the last leg of their journey can often have a greater sense of clarity when it comes to these magical moments right in front of them. We can all take an important lesson in this regard.
One more canine story to wrap up. My dog has a gentle fascination with cats. She doesn’t encounter them very often, but when she does it is a big treat for her (and me). First a slow tactful approach, followed by a respectful and gentle sniff, and then a prolonged pause, sometimes sitting quietly for minutes on end observing this new friend at close proximity (maybe communicating in some way I don’t understand?). What does this teach me? Maybe one of the best ways to stop and smell the roses is to pause and connect with that neighbor on the path, that friend that you haven’t talked to in awhile and have been meaning to get together with, that colleague that looks like they could benefit from your attention. What can you do to pause and look around for something unexpected today? What small beautiful moment or conversation is right if front of you if only you have the nose to smell?
