Today, I went to the waterfront. Alone. Armed with my coffee, my camera, and a good book, I set out for a peaceful couple of hours. As I neared the water, something wasn’t quite right. There were people there! Hordes of people. As I slowly drove along the road to my secret parking spot, I felt disappointment (with a side of mild resentment). Here I was ready for a peaceful visit to my coveted water only to find I had to share it.
I parked my car, gathered all my necessities and headed toward my spot, hoping that no one was there. I hoped I could find a bench overlooking the waterbreak and the rocky shore. Being that my spot was on the fringes of the path, I was able to snag it.
As I sat there nursing my coffee and half-reading my book, I started to pay more attention to my surroundings. The father throwing rocks into the lake with his daughter. The older couple parking their bicycles while chatting about the latest happenings of a TV show. The woman walking her dog along the waves, it occasionally jumping in and splashing her. I noticed the robin tentatively approaching me in search of a worm. The many sailboats on the horizon and the motorboats sailing past them. I wanted to be on a boat. Any boat.
I soaked it in, shaking my initial territorial reaction and its accompanying resentment. I closed my book, chugged my almost-cold coffee, and pulled out my camera. I don’t fancy myself a photographer. I like taking pictures, but truth be told, I have no clue what I’m doing. Nonetheless, I set out on a quest to capture the moments. There is something about having a camera on hand that makes me more aware of the little things. The things I usually take for granted. The beauty in the mundane.
A brave bird.
The view from my bench
The texture of the bark of a tree many years my senior.
As people whizzed past me on their bicycles, inline skates, scooters, and sneakers, I couldn’t help thinking that they were missing out. That if only they’d stop for a minute, they’d see – and maybe, just maybe, appreciate the world around them. They had other things on their minds, I’m sure. Places to go, times to beat, heart rates to raise.
When I stop. When I look. When I listen, everything becomes so much clearer. The moments seem to last longer. It is apparent to me that I need to do this more often. I need to check out of my head and truly observe. Truly be aware. And, truly appreciate the world in which I live.
How do you connect to the world around you? How do you capture moments?
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More moments, captured. sarahcasm’s Flickr
Oh, I do hate when that happens…when you want to escape, but everyone else escapes to that place too.
Beautiful views though. The slowing down bit…that’s what I miss about a view of the water. There’s something so serene and quieting about watching the ripples…
Watching the water calms me instantly. It’s so great to finally live near a large body of water.
So true about how having a camera with you can open your eyes to small things – I’ve been carrying a small one with me everywhere for over a year now and having a marvelous time capturing a zillion vignettes. But I think the camera alone isn’t enough. Only if you have a latent receptivity will it be liberated by the camera or, for some, by a sketchpad.
I like to do this on a regular basis – for me, this means at least once a month. I try to take some time to myself, soak up the sunshine I have a few spaces I haunt to enjoy the moments in nature – in October I did it one side of Bate Island – took quite a few photos; in April I went to Andrew Hayden Park and just recently I spent an afternoon at the Deschenes Rapids with the wildlife in the areas close to the Ottawa River Parkway which is fairly close to where I live… I find if I don’t do this I have a hard time keeping my sanity in the craziness of everyday life.
Love your posts Sarah!
As usual another great post. One day I’ll be able to carve a little time out for myself again. And I may have to share the waterfront with you. Thank you for reintroducing me to such a wonderful spot. Sorry you had to share it, but glad to hear that you were still able to appreciate the beauty of it.
What beautiful moments, still and full of life. I’m envious of your time this afternoon… those pictures are gorgeous
Thank you, Corinne! Yes, my couple of hours was much needed. Usually I go down to the water with Q, but it’s just not the same with a 2 year old!
I am trying to breathe more. Stop and take deep breathes that connect me to the world around me.
That tree is amazing. I can just imagine the history hidden in those wrinkles.
I love taking the time to just sit and observe. I don’t do it often enough.
I have walked by that tree countless times and I’d never noticed it. When I actually looked at it, it had so much to say.
Reminds me of when the kids I were walking home from school. I just wanted to get home. Z was in the wagon and A was walking along side me. She stopped suddenly. A couple steps later, I stopped and said I was turning, “Come on, Baby Girl. Keep walking, please.” I saw her as she replied, “But Mommy. I want to smell the flowers!” She was bent over smelling a rose.
How literal a moment can you get?!
Yes, quite the literal ‘smell the flowers’ moment!
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing. As for the photography part, it does not matter if you know what you are doing, just feel what you’re doing and you’ll be happy with the results.
Excellent pics btw.
Thanks, Haroon! Sometimes, the process of finding taking the picture is enough for me… finding a great shot or a unique angle makes me happy.
So glad you like my pics!
I spend most of my waking moments the days racing from one obligation to the next. Some I can contol, some I can’t. But I truly love just sitting and ting in my surroundings, thinking and not thinking at the same time. This is when I truly relax and feel calm. Love your observations Sarah. Thanks for the reminder to just slow it down.
The most important question here is, how did you get such precious time alone? And it was wise of you to immerse yourself in nature. There’s really no better place. You are like a Romantic poet!
Oh, thank you Jana!
Mr. T took Q on a outing for a couple of hours. Usually when he does that, I sleep or clean. Yesterday, I decided to hit the road and reconnect with nature (and myself). It was glorious.
I can see why you wanted the space to yourself. I would too. But the tree…wow! Just think, the life you observed while you were there versus the life the tree itself has observed in the years its been there. It’s humbling isn’t it?