A Turtle Experience!

from www.sandfiredranch.com

I have not been able to blog for a bit...but during that time I had a few experiences of "being present."  In yoga we talk about being present to life.  In other words being present to what goes on around us(people, ourselves, environment, experiences...) and not being occupied with our thoughts, worries, cell phones, and all. 
Last week I went to the pet store to get some cat litter for Neely.  On my way back to the front of the store,(read a fast walk) I walked by the cages of small animals.  A turtle caught my eye.  I stopped (from my rush) and watched a turtle eat a piece of leaf.  It looked like she was having a hard time eating...she had no way to hold onto the leaf as she munched.  The leaf fell out of her mouth and fell down into the rocks.  Watching that turtle made me think about how hard some animals, like the turtle, have eating.  I felt glad to be a mammal and have 2 hands to help me hold my food.  The turtle seemed to be ok with loosing the leaf and even seemed to wear a  smile like the turtle in this picture.  This experience with the turtle also made me wonder what else I miss as I run around trying to get stuff done?
A few days later I shut the front screen door behind me with usual inattention, thinking about my next steps, when a spot of orange caught my eye.  It was a small butterfly on the outside of the screen with wings spread.  I spent the next minutes looking at this wonderful creature, noting its coloring and details.  It was great!
I still have a long ways to go, but now want to work on my yoga and being present to myself and others.

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