Stop running, she said, close your eyes and feel the earth around. Appreciate the tiny things, dont let life rush past you. Savour and enjoy it.

Life isn’t  found in the gush of wind that blows past you in a second. Over and gone.

It is found in the love affair of the minstrial that whispers to the leaves, the leaves that reply by their rustling. And the trees that dance in joy. 

It is found in the ripples that form in the still lakes, as the swans dance and splash around in them. 

It is found in the starry skies, the twinkling stars, as if little diamonds shining in the skies that are stained a verdant blue and then stained by a black ink.

It is like a river that gushes down a mountain, crashing down into rocks and pebbles but flowing strong and mighty. But we must stop to notice the green fields around, the wildflowers on the banks of the river, bending and tickling the water. The fishes jumping around in glee.

Us mortals have a habit of bolting across life, trying to collect, to compete, trying to win this imaginary race, a race that never was. Because it was never meant to be this rat race, it was meant to be a beautiful journey, an adventure filled with joy and excitement. 

Its about the journey not the destination. Its about the endless scenic drives in the mountains, singing loudly in the car. Its about the freshly baked bread.  The laughter. Its about stopping to appreciate others, caring for others and lending a hand. 

Because the greatest joy is found in that fleeting moment when we pause,maximizing it and living it to the fullest.

Because life is meant to be drunk like a bottle of aged wine,  sipping and appreciating the nuances, instead of the bitterness, to be savoured and relished.