365 days project 2. Day 39. Murphy

   In an age of speed and a life significantly simplified by science and evolution, we all find ourselves looking back to remnants of the past, universal truths or adages of old, in hopes they might help us explain the inexplicable, or sometimes, deal with the hand we’re dealt. 

   One such popular epigram is known to the world as Murphy’s Law. Generally stated as “whatever can go wrong, will go wrong”, people cling to it in hopes of avoiding thinking about the causes and circumstances of whatever has gone wrong. However, I believe that instead of making it our scapegoat, we ought to learn from it. We ought to learn that thoughts influence actions and outcomes, that just because something’s out of our control and goes wrong, does not mean we have to think, in any circumstance, that things will likely take the same turn. 

   Murphy would definitely not be my friend. He's like that typical grumpy, old neighbour who never loved life, always hated everybody and went through a lot of bad stuff in his adult years that now, when he is retired, he feels entitled to have a certified opinion about life and to give advice accordingly. 

   Sure, life is very frustrating sometimes and it feels like it's throwing fireballs at you that you have to be very skilled in avoiding, but this guy, Murphy, seems like he's shouting angrily "look, a giant, horrible fireball is coming towards me and I hate it" while he's standing in the way of the fireball exactly where he stood 10 seconds ago instead of looking for a viable solution to avoid being hit by the said fireball. Does it help to think like Murphy? Does it help us in any way to rant about the fireballs life throws at you? Why not just take it as it comes and avoid them the best you can, thinking of a solution instead of moping about how difficult that situation is? In the end, that's why we're all given a brain, right?

   Murphy’s Law spares us the task of analyzing ourselves. But without self-analysis, how can we evolve? How can we move on, if we cling to truisms of a time where we still lived in the dark? How can we get to “everything will go well”, if we’re always sticking to “what can go wrong, will go wrong”?

365 days project 2: Day 11. Serendipity

   Picture this: you're waiting for the bus and an old lady comes up to you, asks something about a bus, you realize you're waiting for the same one and you start talking. You've never seen her in your life and you will probably never see her again. Still she carried a very deep message that made you meditate long after you parted. Then, the very next day you sit down on your regular bus and an old man sits down next to you and he starts talking to you mainly about the same ideas the previous day's lady talked about. Now, we all know old people love to chat about their life but what are the odds that in two consecutive days two different people randomly come to you and talk about the same thing: how to live a long and happy life? 

   These two encounters made me think that the Universe was trying to send me a message. So I opened my heart and soul and I listened. I remembered I was praying for guidance for a while and then I knew: this was the guidance I needed. 

   If somebody else would have met these two people they would have just shruged it off and said "ah, old people, so chatty" and just leave it at that and go on with their life. But I'm the one who notices all the little details and then improves her life borrowing some old people's wisdom gathered in so many years of living on this planet. Why not open your heart and listen to what random encounters bring? Maybe the Universe is trying to send you a message. Make sure you're getting it! :)

The Old Man

Dear diary,

   I saw the Old Man today. He was walking slowly, moving his cane every step he took. He stopped patiently at the red light and waited. It was funny seeing him so patient when I knew for sure he didn't like to wait for anything or anybody... but maybe today it was all different. Maybe he was indirectly showing us how we should act. He's an old man in the end, right? He's supposed to be wiser. And I'm sure he is.

   As I was watching him from the passing bus I found myself smiling. I thought that if he could make it, I will make it as well. I'll just follow his footsteps and take one small step at a time. I will get there in the end. And by the time I do I will be waiting patiently at the red light as well:)

Still young and restless,

D.

Day 272. The perks of being brave

   Today I went the extra mile. I got out of my comfort zone and I jumped into a whole new type of experiences for photography. Today I was brave.

   I've seen a terribly beautiful house all covered in roses somewhere near where I live and I decided to go take some shots of it. After a lot of planning I got there and I struggled to mingle my camera through the fence and I actually succeeded to take a photo when I saw a man. I freaked out and I quickly went away. I wanted to leave with just that one photo I had. But my photographer instinct told me I needed more than just one photo to own a piece of art of that house that deserved to be praised. So I went back and I decided to ask the owner if I may enter the yard and take a proper photo. 

   He was an elder in his 80s dressed as a gardener. His face was kind and his voice was mild. He said photography and roses were also his passions so not only did he let me take as many photos as I wished but he also explained to me how he tended the beautiful roses covering the old house and he even invited me to follow him behind it.

    I followed him and then my eyes saw more than I could take. A huge garden full of all sorts of roses. All types, all colors, all shapes. And not only roses but also cacti and lily pads and ferns and trees of all kinds. I literaly felt like stepping into a Botanical Garden. And it was even more than that. It was a piece of heaven that made me go from surprise to ecstasy, from smiling to being in awe and saying "wow" every 2 minutes. 

   We took a long walk in the beautiful garden while the old man gently presented to me the types of roses (he had more than 40 types) and let me take photos to anything my heart desired. He even said "Here are some roses you haven't seen, enjoy yourself":) After a while we bonded so well that I felt like walking with my grandpa. I felt so much peace, happiness and amazement. I felt it all at once. 

   When I wanted to leave I took my bag and I saw a red rose inside of it. The old man gave me one of his beloved children. I guess he noticed we bonded too. Because when I left, we were both smiling like we had known each other for ages and this was just another visit I used to pay to him. 

   One thing though. He asked me not to share the photos of his house and garden on the internet so be my guests and imagine them as you please, but make sure you make them top perfection. Because that's how I felt today:)

   What a day!:) And how different might the things have been if only I didn't turn around.