Dull, I think not!
Dull, I think not!
Written by MJ Reporter Willow LaMunyon
Dull, I think not!
Written by MJ Reporter Willow LaMunyon
I am lucky at fishing, or maybe I am not. It depends on how you think about it. I have no trouble catching fish, but I don’t want to. I don’t want to hurt them by taking them off the hook. I definitely don’t want to clean them. I don’t want to cook them, and I don’t want to eat them. I have even caught them with no bait in a failed attempt to get them to leave my hook alone. I may be lucky at catching fish but not so much at keeping them away.
Luck or the lack of it is hard to understand clearly. Is it luck or having the proper kind of fishing pole that makes me lucky at catching fish? Does it matter? What matters to me is the idea of fishing. The pictures of people in their favorite fishing spot with trees to lean against, a beautiful pond or lake, perfect weather, and maybe a picnic basket nearby causes me to daydream about the pleasures of fishing, even with those pesky fish that won’t leave me alone.
The reality is I would rather be doing something more active. I enjoy hiking and boating, camping, reading at a campsite, swimming, exploring, and sharing the company of my companions.
Sometimes we get so caught up in what we imagine we want we ignore our reality. Long vacations to exotic places are at the top of my daydream list. I can be reasonably sure I would enjoy them, but dreaming about where I am not doing things, can ruin a perfectly wonderful day. Walking my dogs in the little park behind my house is a daily routine and sometimes something I would rather not do. However, I have met many of my neighbors while on those walks and enjoyed countless pleasant conversations. Watching my dogs delight in those walks makes them meaningful. Even when the weather is blistering hot or painfully cold, my dogs insist on their walk. Even when I really really don’t want to go, there is an adventure to be had. The hard part is getting started. It isn’t the intensity of an exotic vacation or an Indiana Jones adventure. When I stop comparing dog walks, avoiding fish, camping, and even yard work, it has its appeal.
That living in the minute thing does work. All you have to do is pay attention to whatever the day brings, even during times of worry or sadness. Those minutes taken to notice a flower just blooming or a perfect cloud can clear an upset mind or give peace for a few minutes and inspire you not to give up or remind you that life itself is the exotic vacation.