Beauty in Flow

We recently just got back from our Pacific Northwest vacation, hitting up Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, and Vancouver, Canada. One week was definitely not enough to explore this beautiful region. There were just far too many sights to visit and way too many good eats to reasonably cram in a week without going broke and suffering from indigestion. 

One of the most memorable sites we managed to visit was the Portland Japanese Garden. I love trees and bonsai, so I knew I would enjoy this place. We also had the most perfectly sunny yet cool weather the day we visited which made the whole experience even more delightful. The place wasn't crowded, it wasn't hot, there were no bugs flying around, and all this contributed to such a serene experience for me. 

My son was shocked to hear me say that I felt calm while we were at this garden. Yes, that's truly rare for me. To feel calm in a public place, while simultaneously feeling in awe of all the wonders that surrounded us. 

As I was walking around the garden, I couldn't help but notice the beautiful landscaping; how every greenery was intentionally planted yet still respecting the possibility of chaos that defines nature. I truly believe the internal calm I felt was a result of the palpable harmony that was everywhere in this paradise. 

Everywhere I looked, I did not find or feel 'resistance'. If there was an awkward slope, they worked with it and made it beautiful instead of flattening them or making them convenient. Trees stood where they stood not as an afterthought or to decorate bridges and pathways. These old creatures remained tall and magnificent while such bridges or pathways humbly weave in between wherever they were allowed. Where two trees had intertwined branches, a trellis was created to showcase the marriage of these graceful limbs. It was harmony everywhere and I knew my soul felt it. 

I felt refreshed, invigorated yet profoundly serene and I wanted to keep that state for as long as I could. Deep down, however, I knew that soon after stepping out of the garden, I would lose that feeling and would be left craving it. 

This desire to hold on to that inner space of peace led me to go back to my favorite definition of Peace, and how much the garden's landscape captured it so well:

"Whenever you deeply accept this moment as it is — no matter what form it takes — you are still, you are at peace." 

— Eckhart Tolle

I spend so much time of my daily life keeping things as neat as possible; expending countless amounts of energy trying to create order around me and within me, analyzing things, making sense of events, motives, the past, the present and making the future as predictable as possible. 

I resist. A LOT...though I have certainly improved in the area of acceptance as I've gotten older. 

There is much work to be done. But I thank Life for showing me that in those times when I did not resist, in those times when I accepted what was and just flowed with things beyond my control or sense of agency, I found harmony and order in the end. Putting aside hurt egos, broken aspirations, or unanswered questions, I'm still able to acknowledge that my life has been blessed and that I had been spared from even greater pain or a burden I would not have been able to survive. 

The path may be encumbered with stubborn roots, rocks and the path may be uneven at times. But if we keep on the journey with grace and flow with where life directs us (and it always does if we listen hard enough!), there is always peace. Beauty will be undeniable.