Reflecting On My Life While Watching A Plane Land
Last December, 12/18/06, to be exact. I took my daughter to a play park. It was located near the BWI Airport. She had a great time. There were lots of other children there with their parents. We met up with my friend and her children, Of course they had a blast and I had fun also since I was able to chat with a great friend. Since I always carry one of my camera’s with me. I ended up taking hundred of shots of the children and the planes that were landing.
The trip to me was special for many reasons. My daughter had a great time, I connected with a long time friend, and I was also able to watch planes land and think about my life. I had just resigned from my position a few weeks ago. I was starting a new chapter in life as a full-time business owner. Yes, there was plenty going on to keep me occupied.
When I was a child my next door neighbor, Mr. Selby, used to drive to the top of the road just to watch cars pass by. It was something he enjoyed. Occasionally we would see him as we made our trek home from some location. He had retired a few years earlier and I often thought this was one way he relaxed. He also was a fisherman. I was young perhaps seven or eight but I always remember Mr. Selby as being a very nice man.
As I looked at the planes landing on this day, I thought about Mr. Selby and wondered if that was a chance for him to reflect on his life. He has been dead for at least twenty five years.
Watching the planes land is one of the many ways I reflect on my life. At times I do an internal house cleaning changing how I view certain issues and setting new goals I will achieve.
Question: How often do you reflect on your life?
[tags]BWI Airport, Plane landing, play park, photography, Nikon D80[/tags]
on October 21st, 2007 at 10:14 am
Every Friday night with a bottle of booze. :lol:
Seriously though, I reflect several times a week. I have a 45 min to and hour drive each way to work and back home, and that gives me a lot of time alone to think. I think about what I’ve done, what I still want to do, and often think about how to handle situations with the kids as they get older. I sometimes think about my mom, and how I want to be there to help her, but then I would probably overdo it. :wink:
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on October 21st, 2007 at 10:47 am
I reflect a lot in the car when TGH and I are driving somewhere. He usually drives and that is fine with me - I get lost in my own little world of my mind. He always says how quiet I am when we are going somewhere. I keep a notepad and pen in my purse to write down any great thoughts or ideas I might have. I’ll need to do a post of my own on this soon I think. My latest and greatest idea is to read a book out loud and tape it for my neighbor who is losing his eyesight after a minor stroke. I know he loves to read and I’m sure he is missing that.
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on October 21st, 2007 at 11:21 am
I reflect on things often. I think self-examination is an aspect of integrity. However, that are two aspects to it: examining one’s beliefs and then examining the relation of one’s actions to one’s beliefs. Both require seeking integrity in consistency with one being more basic than the other.
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on October 21st, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I believe its good for the soul to reflect on life every once in awhile. I know I do my reflecting while I am driving usually. Sometimes I do it while I am rocking my baby in the rocking chair. He is usually calm and still while I am rocking him and it makes me wonder what he is feeling and thinking while we are just sitting there for an hour rocking back and forth. Since I had my son…I look at life differently of course. I think about what I can do to be healthier so I ensure that I will be around for a long time to see him grow up and watch my grandchildren grow also. I figure we all should be aware of each and everyday and make sure we live each day to the fullest. No regrets! If you have a goal in life that you want to accomplish the start today to make it happen!
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on October 21st, 2007 at 5:00 pm
When I was growing up I visited my Grandmother almost everyday. She lived 50 feet from the railroad tracks (the sound of the trains would make her house shake!)
Throughout the years I would watch the trains go by and reflect. It reminds me how our lives go by quickly, just like those trains.
I do reflect but I no longer dwell on things. I stay busier these days trying to live each day to it’s fullest! :smile:
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on October 22nd, 2007 at 1:47 am
I have recently started work in a kitchen.
It is a lot less stressful than my old job back in England as a Graphic Designer so I find that work is often my time for life reflection these days. I am doing a lot of reflection right now!
on October 22nd, 2007 at 3:01 am
Answer: Not often enough, Opal. And thanks for the reminder of how important it is to do so. :wink:
Shine on,
Aaron
on October 22nd, 2007 at 7:11 am
DragonLady,
You and I both? ;-)
Ah yes I remember those drives to work they were great for reflecting. I hope your mom is doing well. I’m sure it has to be challenging for her.
teeni,
What? Teeni quiet? Yes the car is a great chance to do that. I realy don’t have much time to do that while in the car these days. My daughter is usually inside chattering at the speed of light. I would not have it any other way. :razz:
Beth,
Dang girl! Look at you dropping knowledge! ;-) That’s a great way to describe it. At times I have changed my beliefs because after reviewing they way I’ve handle an issue I realize that my reaction/view was wrong.
You know this makes up most of my reflecting these days. It usually has something to do with my daughter. A great place to reflect, for me, is when I’m in the sauna. It’s a treat to be there. I try to make it at least twice weekly.
I’m always setting short and long term goals for myself. I’ve met many of them already. I’m finally working for myself which allows me to spend more time with my daughter. I’m back in school working on my Masters and eventually my PhD in traditional Naturopathy, the list at times seems endles but it keeps me moving and inspired to do more.
Bobby Revell,
I occasionally have watched trains and at times, for me I wonder what type of lives the people inside the trains have. Do they take time to slow down and smell the roses are they too busy rushing through life to appreciate what they do have. Some of the people that I know that don’t have a lot still have something to be thankful for.
I reflect a lot more now that I have my daughter. I think about our interactions and at times I see areas that I can improve. I do. :-)
I don’t dwell on the past. I do think of them as “meeting” and I’m usually the main topic of discussion. I think of areas that I can improve, congratulate myself on things I’ve accomplished, and make plans on how I can handle certain goals.
Forest Parks,
That’s a big change as far as your job goes.
I left a stressful job to work for myself that was the best decision I ever made.
Aaron Cook,
Personally I think it’s important to do so and at times I wish I could do it more.
on October 23rd, 2007 at 2:05 am
forest i like what you say.. me too i do my reflection inthe kitchen after some internet works. i think the best time for me to do reflection is in the kitchen haha. regards.
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