Happiness is….
Zen and the art of being happy with your lot…..
Yesterday was a good day, my first day off since Christmas Eve and the first time I have had two days off in one week since November. The only thing that mattered to me was heading off somewhere, anywhere for fresh air and a sense of escape.
First stop was Southery Wood which is a favourite of mine for a quick walk close to home, a ‘Danger: Shooting’ sign quickly changed my mind and I headed for the nature reserve at Snipe Dales where I was assured peace, quiet and certainly no shotguns.
Once again I had the entire reserve to myself, despite the cold, the sun shone and winter walks don’t get much better than this. The single most important aspect of a walk such as this is in the stopping. Pick your spot and watch the natural world go by. Within five minutes I had seen a weasel dart along a small stream, four young partridge take flight from just behind me, a solitary rabbit bolt underground before you could say ‘focus camera’ and best of all, the sight of a kestrel hovering high above looking for lunch.
By lunchtime I was walking around the remains of Old Bolingbroke Castle, birthplace of King Henry 1V and an area steeped in medieval history. I shall return to this at a later date (midday sun cancelled out any photographic possibilities)
Heading slowly back along the quiet country lanes towards the village where I live it struck me just how lucky I am to have all of this on my doorstep. I parked up at the back of the village and walked along the fields which create a natural border from the surrounding villages, the day was at its best now, the afternoon sun was begining to set and with it came the last thrust of activity from the pigeons, pheasants, partridges and thrushes.
As I stood and looked across the wide open fields a huge hare bolted from the hedgerow and raced across the bare ground in front of me. It gave me no chance to focus on it with any hope of a worthwhile shot but I didn’t care. What mattered was that I had the oportunity to stand there, free from the stresses and strains of modern living and watch this wonderful animal run nature’s gauntlet and live to see another day.
A close friend of mine spoke of his disillusionment with his job and the quality of life it does or doesn’t afford him. We share the same profession and I thought about the sacrifices I have made in the name of it and, given the chance would I choose the same career. On reflection I probably would because despite the downsides there have been a lot of good moments and I doubt I would be any happier doing something else.
Watching that hare run across the field was a fitting end to a stress free day, I had managed a few hours of fresh air, no phone calls or annoying questions and life was good again. It made me realise that in a world of twenty four seven everything, we lose sight of the basic qualities of life and what really gives us pleasure.
So I intend to make the most of what is around me as I recall an old saying; ‘Hare today, gone tomorrow!’
Miles
great write up and sounds like a great day.
There is more on our doorstep than we give credit for and we are lucky for that.
A job is a job the percentage of people who actually love their work must be minute.
It’s there simply to support us and hopefully leave enough left over to finance days like above.
Because that’s all a job is that’s all it should be considered as.
Do your time then make the most of your free time.
I look forward to more articles on day trips in Lincolnshire and places to visit in Lincolnshire
RegardsRod
January 6, 2008 @ 9:07 am
Miles,
To be content with our own company and enjoy simple pleasures when time allows…. is not that common I think, not everyone will see (profound thought of the day and what a day, gorgeously sunny, mug of china tea in hand, log fire burning and winter cherry tree in full bloom).
Cid
January 6, 2008 @ 11:45 am
Miles,
Your blog and your open style in sharing with us some of your life, gives actual great insight into what life is about. There is joy and beauty around us if we bother to look for it and not necessarily on the Costas.
A very enjoyable post and may you have many more good days like it.
Elsie
January 6, 2008 @ 3:15 pm
Rod,
I do consider myself lucky because I genuinely enjoy my work, that said, if I didn’t have such a passion for food it would be very difficult to carry on.
Miles
January 6, 2008 @ 6:44 pm
Cid,
I do believe in making the most of your circumstance, now that I am on my own I only have myself to blame if I don’t. Some of the best times of my life have been spent on my own, fishing and walking around the English Lakes without a care in the world was really something special.
Miles
January 6, 2008 @ 6:48 pm
Elsie,
I was thinking about this yesterday as I was driving around the county. In recent years I would have been travelling in Asia around about now but taking time to look at what is on your doorstep makes you think twice about another long haul trip.
Miles
January 6, 2008 @ 6:50 pm
Miles,
Your posting came at an important moment for me as I contemplate the end of an important relationship in my life. Between you and your mum, I feel tons better. Thank you for sharing. Your posts on days spent in nautre are truly wonderful, and this comes from an old English teacher who would have loved having a student who had such insights as you do.
January 7, 2008 @ 11:38 pm
Annie,
I do believe a quiet walk somewhere of the beaten track is more beneficial than one might give credit for. I find it a great leveller during times of contemplation because it shows you life carrying on through the vigours of the seasons. It offers an interesting comparison between the animal kingdom and ourselves, we can learn a lot from a simple walk.
Good luck, I am touched that this blog offers a little respite.
Miles
January 8, 2008 @ 8:49 am
Miles,
I always derive great joy reading your posts. You are a talented, and sensitive fellow!
Thank you.
Annie
January 8, 2008 @ 6:04 pm
Annie,
Thankyou for that, I am not sure my staff would echo your sentiments though!!
Miles
January 8, 2008 @ 10:26 pm