Smelling the Roses

The last few weeks have been very busy and I just don't take the time I should to smell the roses. As I have learned more about Buddhism, the more I have come to appreciate the oft described "little things" in life. However, they are certainly among the most important and precious experiences of life. For as long as I can remember I have lived life hard and fast, but not only have I found it harder to do so of late, it is also becoming far less appealing than it once was.

There is simply nothing in this world that makes me as happy as my son's smile. Think about that for a second. By either causing him to be happy myself or to witness someone else do it, the awareness of such a young being is so remarkable. Ten years ago I would never have imagined such a state of contentment being possible, but it is. That isn't to say it only comes from having children since others may experience the same feeling in other ways. It's really the simple things people. No matter how cliched that phrase has become, it couldn't be more true.

As for updates, the boy is growing like a weed! If we measured him correctly, he's in the 95th percentile for weight, although he's only 19th percentile in weight. Can you say beanstalk Batman? :) I swear it was just last week that he was reaching up onto an end table to feel for things he couldn't see. Then yesterday my wife and I were remarking that the top of the end table only comes up to his chin now, making it all too easy for him to see what's there.

All this bliss I'm describing comes in the middle of resuming my schooling, my ever continuing struggle to integrate the Four Noble Truths into my life, selling stuff on eBay, doing laundry (or leaving it on the floor way too long!), not even including eating and sleeping mind you. In the past all this would have resulted in a less than calm mental state, but I've been on a pretty even keel of late. Let's just hope it lasts!