Today’s a day that gets little respect. A few days before Christmas, people bustling about, everyone’s eyes directed ahead. Today is a lonely day just begging for attention.
At this time of year many people want drama and sparkle–everything bigger than last year: shopping earlier (remember Thanksgiving store Black Friday events?), technology more dazzling, decorations more lavish. The ordinary gets lost. Everything has to have a purpose. A plain gray day barely gets noticed, no less appreciated. So today I am dedicating this post to the sometime mundane beauty of a December day. All these photos are from a recent December day in this dry, moderate Pacific Northwest of 2011.
Early morning fog hints at surprises. What lies beneath and beyond? As daylight emerges, the trees make their statements against the sky.
Sometimes the sky is nothing but shape and light, the clouds in constant movement even if momentarily static to our eyes. 
Sometimes we see the open sky hovering over the ground, reminding us of where we stand beneath the expanse above.
And sometimes, even on these December days, we find sunlight breaking through, to blue and brilliance and fluffy clouds.
As day comes to a close, we are rewarded with a dusky sunset. Watch closely. Keep watching. See the picture refreshed in short order, as darkness draws fast in these short days before the winter solstice.
To appreciate small changes like these…to see, really see, what is around us…to remember the contrast and balance of nature, and to find the fragility and sturdiness reflected in ourselves. That is what an ordinary December day can give us.
Questions for Reflection: In what ways do you stop to appreciate an ordinary day? What aspects of nature bring you comfort and pleasure? How do you see yourself reflected in nature–the fragile and vulnerable, the sturdy and strong, the fleeting changes?
Writing Prompts: “When I stop to pay attention, I am keenly aware of ______” (then keep writing); “An ordinary gray day reminds me ______” (then keep writing); “I love the ____ of winter nature because ______” (then keep writing).
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: vickidellojoio
December 21, 2011 at 7:49 pm
What a perfect thing to read at the end of the day to ground me as I light my (technically-too-late) 2 candles with my affirmations (1 added each day on where I want to place my focus in the year ahead). I’ve been guilty of not “seeing” the day, heightened energy even tho none of it had to do with holidaze. Thank you for slowing down my breath with your written and visual reflections.
Vicki Dello Joio recently posted..Christmas Dilemma: How To Stop Stress
Hi Vicki, Love that you totally get this! I also really appreciate how you are focusing on the candles. Have you ever followed Rabbi Ted Falcon? He does quite a bit with this kind of meditative focus. Happy Hanukkah!
Twitter: vickidellojoio
December 21, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Never heard of him, I’d be interested to hear what he does.
I guess one benefit I got from growing up in an atheist/agnostic household is I feel very free to make up rituals as I go along…
Vicki Dello Joio recently posted..Christmas Dilemma: How To Stop Stress
Vicki, I sent you an email from Ted Falcon. Seems like you have some instincts towards the way he thinks about things.
Twitter: MosaicTutoring
December 22, 2011 at 7:15 am
Beautiful thoughts and images, Judy. Thank you for this. It’s a perfect time of year to reflect.
Yes, Cory, I love the contrast of quiet reflection with the hubbub of holidays. Best to you for a wonderful season.
Sometimes, because of too much work and busyness, we forgot to appreciate our day, our nature. It is so lovely to capture such a stunning view such as this.
Judy, you made me realized how beautiful each day is and to even reflect for some time and forget about work and other stuffs.
Thanks.
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Thank you, Angela. I wish you a lovely holiday with some peaceful, reflective moments.
Twitter: ImogenRagone
December 23, 2011 at 7:11 pm
Judy, this post is so timely. A much needed reminder to look at what is there, beyond the glitz, bustle and noise around us (as much fun as that can be sometimes). I take a daily walk outside, and while sometimes it is hard to “turn off” my mind, busy with all my projects and to-do list, it is for me more than exercise. It is a way for me to connect with myself and my surroundings that’s different from what I can achieve inside. How often do we really just stop and look around us and be present to what is instead of rushing ahead. If I have even a moment of this each day it is worth it. Your photos are beautiful, and it’s the quiet beauty of even the grayest day that we often miss.
Hi Imogen, So glad you read and commented–right before the next round of holiday rush! I find being in nature such a wonderful way to disconnect from the daily noise. Wishing you a wonderful weekend, whether it’s a big holiday time for you or just a peaceful interlude.
Twitter: bccmee
December 25, 2011 at 12:45 pm
It really is a beautiful day.
bccmee recently posted..Merry Christmas! New calendar page and a fanvid!
I like the photos. I am a fan of pictures of nature. Thank you for sharing this post. This at least made my day happier.
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Growing up on an island in Canada, I was always surrounded by nature. I loved walking down to the beach, looking at the various sea shells, the ocean coming in and going out, watching the ferries go by.
We always had deer in the backyard and other various creatures. The sun would stay up til 11pm during the summer and be dark by 4pm in the winter.
Even now, when we go back to visit, life is so much calmer and relaxed there. Life in CA is so busy and hectic but I try to take the time to appreciate the little things, like the the crimson sunsets or unique clouds that float by every so often.
Twitter: robertssister1
January 2, 2012 at 11:09 am
Judy, Beautiful pictures! If I hadn’t been so busy bustling around at work, home and everywhere in between I would have greatly enjoyed reading this when you wrote it!
I have to say, though, it is still a good reminder to appreciate the ordinary at the start of this new year. After boxing up our indoor holiday decorations over the last few days, I am appreciating the ordinariness (is that a word? It seems so clunky) of the house.
Trish
http://www.robertssister.com
caregiving. family. advocacy.
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Trish,
In fact, January 2nd is one of those disregarded days so often neglected, so it’s rather a perfect day for reading this blog! Last year I wrote about blog about January 2nd and how it gets such short shrift. I looked up “ordinariness” and it is, indeed, a word! A good word for a good day.