Choosing to Appreciate Now

@bethvogt

I’ve had a wind chime hanging in my office for years.

I know, I know – wind chimes belong outside, not inside.

I found this wind chime at a craft show, fascinated by the crafter’s display. Two copper tubes, along with a thin piece of agate, are suspended from a piece of burnt wood retrieved from one of Colorado’s wildfires.

Intriguing, right?

I bought the wind chime because I was drawn to the artist’s creativity. How she saw past what the fire destroyed and transformed charred wood and copper, wire, and a thin piece of stone, into something that changes wind into music.

I’ve kept my wind chime protected in my office because, well, it’s so beautiful. I didn’t want weather – rain, wind, snow – to mar it.

Yesterday I ran across these words by Lori Hetten, a poet and artist: “As a general rule, very few things ought to be saved for later.”

I’ve never used my wind chime as it was meant to be used. I made a wrong choice. What’s a wind chime for if not to make music in all of the seasons? How much music have I missed in my misguided attempt to protect a work of art?

Yes, the artist made something beautiful … but she also made something functional. Something meant to sway in the breeze … something to be played by the wind.

My husband is hanging my wind chime outside our front door as I write this blog post – and yes, there’s a storm coming.

I’ll listen for the first notes of the songs it wants to sing to me … embrace the beauty … and anticipate all the melodies to come.

What about you? Is there something you’re saving for a special occasion? Keeping it wrapped up, boxed up, for some who-knows-when-it-will-happen day to come?

Might I suggest you consider using the china tea cups? The lace tablecloth? The heirloom vase? Treasure the special memories while making some of your own.

Choosing to Appreciate Now https://bit.ly/32RIEfJ #perspective #today
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'Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is the special occasion.
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