One of my very favourite things to do is walk in a local park called Neil Hawkins Park in Joondalup. There is a lake there- ducks, White Cockatoos, Gallahs, Rosellas, various water birds and even a couple of kangaroo families. It's unique because I can see the changing of the seasons there, and let my mind wander.
After I'm finished there, I quite often go to a smoothie place called Boost.
Today, I walked in the park, and waited for my name to be called for my favourite smoothie at Boost. I was playing on my phone (as you do) and my phone decided to show me a photo with a caption that read "A year ago today".
Of course I was immediately taken back to 'a year ago today' and then back to today. If you want an interesting reflection, think about all the things that happen in a year...things that change, and things that stay the same.
A year ago today, I walked in the park and had a smoothie. I was counting down the days until I could go home to the U.S. after not having been there for five years. My oldest son was in year 12. My younger son was trying to navigate his first year of high school. I was taking every Wednesday off to paint, think and try to make sense of monumental changes in mine and my boys' lives. My work held things together in a world where very little made sense and my friends and family near and far held me together. It would be fair to say that I wanted to run..literally and figuratively.
Today, I walked in the park and had a smoothie. I no longer count down days. Each day brings what it does and I know I can't control the day even if I wanted to count it away. My oldest son is going to Europe soon....on his own. My youngest son is finishing his second year of high school and I saw him about twice during the last school holidays because he was out with friends most of the time. I don't take Wednesday's off, but when I want to treat myself to beauty, I go to the park. I have a company rather than an office. The work is longer, but integrates with my life. I still have the best friends and family near and far- and even have some new friends who have touched my heart and provided a different perspective. I rather think I am moving toward something than running away from it.
I want to thank my phone for reminding me what can happen in a year and for letting me know how many smoothies I've had in the last 12 months.
Steve Jobs probably didn't intend the iPhone to be this thought provoking, nevertheless, he may have been tickled that it was for me, a year ago today.
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