Easy Does It

from one day to the next . . . instead of just accepting the fact that life is chaotic most days. When was the last time you stopped to actually smell a rose, or any flower in bloom, for that matter? What about looking skyward and imagining the shapes in the clouds . . . is that a poodle floating overhead or perhaps it is your favorite aunt Betty, just after a visit to the salon for her weekly wash-and-set?? Ah, it is the smallest, most insignificant moments in life where the real and full measure of joy is found . . . it is taking the time to be peaceful, to follow your heart, to stop and smell all the flowers which beautify our unimaginably vast and varied planet. The singular and defining characteristics of each place, each map dot, are the inspirational lullabies which soothe our souls, enabling peace to envelope us even at the most chaotic times in our lives. Don't we all feel a bit more frazzled right in this moment because we as a universe seem to have lost our way . . . we have forgotten how to soothe our inner child with laughter, with a carefree sense of abandon . . . letting go and just being. We are, afterall, human beings . . . we are not human doings!! :)

No matter what you do, who you are, how you spend your day . . . I am certain you have lost some of that essence of your "inner child". Do you remember how fun it was just to explore a field awash with wildflowers . . . hunting amidst the blooms for ladybugs and butterflies? Did you once throw yourself down into the patch of fragrant flowers and cast nothing but your observant eyes towards the puffy white pillows floating overhead to see what shapes they formed? Did you run willy-nilly towards the slightest wave upon the beach, hoping to feel the excitement of the sea as it lapped up and splashed you . . . the sand disappearing beneath your feet?
Have you laughed for no apparent reason, just because you watched some little creatures, like squirrels or rabbits, at play? Truly, if you haven't had these tastes of child-like joy lately, isn't it time? Life is short, live it to the fullest and with your senses fully engaged each and every day . . . take some chances, taste something new and different . . . take a bite out of life and let the sweet flavor linger on your lips, your tongue, your tastebuds and let it nourish your soul!

The Pugliese people seem to remember the fine art of living life each and every day . . . they spend time as a community, as a family, with friends . . . being, just being. Perhaps it is what we used to do here more often, but many of us now are convinced that unless we "do something" in every moment of a day, we are useless.
Ah, so not the case! Take a moment today to explore, to play, to see the beauty of this world . . . it's a way to restore your soul. Visit the exquisite . . . take time to appreciate the beauty of the world . . . Puglia awaits you. Just take a bite.