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Taking It for Granted

Posted By: Randy GageNovember 23, 2010

The first time I went to Key West, I made it a point to go to Mallory Square and watch the sunset each evening.  There’s no doubt it’s a touristy thing, but there’s no denying the spectacular view there.

But a funny thing happened…

After going a few times, I stopped going because I’d already “done that.”  Last time it dawned on me that I hadn’t been to there in a few years, so I made an appointment to see the sunset.

Boy am I glad I did…

As usual, the square was filled with buskers, and peddlers hawking cheap jewelry and cheaper t-shirts.  There were a couple bad musicians and a couple great ones.

There was a fundamentalist guy, complete with a white board presentation on why Jesus was the only way to heaven.  And there was a performer from the Caribbean, who amazed a crowd of about 200 of us with his acrobatic stunts, deadpan humor, and marketing tactics that had people digging into their pockets.

And of course the sunset was incredible.  Just like it always is, except I had been taking it for granted.

What about you?

What is the thing that you have been taking for granted?  Where’s the special place you go to watch a sunrise or a sunset?  And what are you going to do about it?

-RG

14 comments on “Taking It for Granted”

  1. I moved into the house I live in because of the beautiful yard and huge trees. After reading your post, it dawned on me that I spend countless hours in that yard to make it even more beautiful. More trees, more flowers, beautiful roses...... But I'm not taking the time to LISTEN to it. As soon as I'm done today, I have an appointment with my yard to just sit and listen to the birds, and the wind sing through my beautiful trees. Thanks for the wake-up call Randy.

  2. We walk daily for exercise through a beautiful forest trail, and at first were awed at the huge old cedars, the ferns that were waist high, and the big-leaf maples with a furring of moss on their trunks and branches. At first we stopped and marveled. Soon it became just a way to exercise, and speed of the walk came first. Today that changes. Sure, the exercise is great, but the chance to reflect, enjoy and breathe deeply this clean forest air is more important. From now on, I will recognize my gratitude that I have this lovely place to enjoy.

  3. It is the sunset behind a nice hulk on a hill that I see from my panorama window in my living room!

    Yes, sometimes I forget that I am living in such a wonderful house in such a wonderful landscape.

  4. We can`t influence Sunrise and Sunset , thank to God, but you're a Randy initiated sunrise in my soul , thank you, and my mental sunset is the feeling of a good day.

    Wencel

  5. My nature hikes.

    I live in a secluded neighborhood so I can go for a quiet walk at any time but I've neglected heading to the hills for a hike through nature.

    There's no feeling like connecting with nature.

    Thanks for the reminder Randy 🙂

    Ryan

  6. We just got a a small dump of snow here in Vancouver, but when the sun is shining on the mountains in the background after a fresh snowfall is just spectacular... looking forward to Sonoma... the fall colors of purples and golds just takes your breath away as well....

  7. Since I live in the GLORIOUS San Francisco Bay Area, I never take the beauty here for granted. Every morning I run along the Bay where I take in views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco skyline and the hills of Marin county where I live. Now that winter has set in, the skies have been gray, but after the storms pass, the beauty here is breathtaking. Haven't been able to see too many sunsets due to the overcast and rain, but I'm still VERY grateful for living in such an amazing place. It's VERY hard to take driving across the GG Bridge for granted though am sure many do. Even when I was commuting into SF every day I always found crossing the bridge to be a mystical experience.

    Thanks Randy!

  8. What I take for granted is that I know I have this ability to move people, and help them awaken to their authentic self. Moving forward 2011 I will commit to being more involved in the freedoms of spiritual and financial well-being for myself and others.

    I do love the ocean, the bodies of water- the mighty NY Henry Hudson River (beautiful sunrises/sunsets), and the changing seasons. They talk to my soul with such sweetness and love. It is healing. It brings me joy.

    ~Leslie

  9. I enjoy walking early mornings along the streets while the city is still asleep, most incredible on weekends. It is amazing how different and quite the city is early mornings, how beautiful the sunrise is when the sunshine touches the houses on one side and the rest is in the shadow, the blue sky, the fluffy clouds, green trees in summer and white powder snow in winter… I feel so full of harmony and joy at such moments.

  10. I live in Maine. There are other places with great views, of course, but there are none any better, just different. I remember driving daily from Dover Foxcroft to Madison to do home care. Driving over those foothills especially in the fall, I kept thinking to myself "people pay to have views like this"

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  • 14 comments on “Taking It for Granted”

    1. I moved into the house I live in because of the beautiful yard and huge trees. After reading your post, it dawned on me that I spend countless hours in that yard to make it even more beautiful. More trees, more flowers, beautiful roses...... But I'm not taking the time to LISTEN to it. As soon as I'm done today, I have an appointment with my yard to just sit and listen to the birds, and the wind sing through my beautiful trees. Thanks for the wake-up call Randy.

    2. We walk daily for exercise through a beautiful forest trail, and at first were awed at the huge old cedars, the ferns that were waist high, and the big-leaf maples with a furring of moss on their trunks and branches. At first we stopped and marveled. Soon it became just a way to exercise, and speed of the walk came first. Today that changes. Sure, the exercise is great, but the chance to reflect, enjoy and breathe deeply this clean forest air is more important. From now on, I will recognize my gratitude that I have this lovely place to enjoy.

    3. It is the sunset behind a nice hulk on a hill that I see from my panorama window in my living room!

      Yes, sometimes I forget that I am living in such a wonderful house in such a wonderful landscape.

    4. We can`t influence Sunrise and Sunset , thank to God, but you're a Randy initiated sunrise in my soul , thank you, and my mental sunset is the feeling of a good day.

      Wencel

    5. My nature hikes.

      I live in a secluded neighborhood so I can go for a quiet walk at any time but I've neglected heading to the hills for a hike through nature.

      There's no feeling like connecting with nature.

      Thanks for the reminder Randy 🙂

      Ryan

    6. We just got a a small dump of snow here in Vancouver, but when the sun is shining on the mountains in the background after a fresh snowfall is just spectacular... looking forward to Sonoma... the fall colors of purples and golds just takes your breath away as well....

    7. Since I live in the GLORIOUS San Francisco Bay Area, I never take the beauty here for granted. Every morning I run along the Bay where I take in views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco skyline and the hills of Marin county where I live. Now that winter has set in, the skies have been gray, but after the storms pass, the beauty here is breathtaking. Haven't been able to see too many sunsets due to the overcast and rain, but I'm still VERY grateful for living in such an amazing place. It's VERY hard to take driving across the GG Bridge for granted though am sure many do. Even when I was commuting into SF every day I always found crossing the bridge to be a mystical experience.

      Thanks Randy!

    8. What I take for granted is that I know I have this ability to move people, and help them awaken to their authentic self. Moving forward 2011 I will commit to being more involved in the freedoms of spiritual and financial well-being for myself and others.

      I do love the ocean, the bodies of water- the mighty NY Henry Hudson River (beautiful sunrises/sunsets), and the changing seasons. They talk to my soul with such sweetness and love. It is healing. It brings me joy.

      ~Leslie

    9. I enjoy walking early mornings along the streets while the city is still asleep, most incredible on weekends. It is amazing how different and quite the city is early mornings, how beautiful the sunrise is when the sunshine touches the houses on one side and the rest is in the shadow, the blue sky, the fluffy clouds, green trees in summer and white powder snow in winter… I feel so full of harmony and joy at such moments.

    10. I live in Maine. There are other places with great views, of course, but there are none any better, just different. I remember driving daily from Dover Foxcroft to Madison to do home care. Driving over those foothills especially in the fall, I kept thinking to myself "people pay to have views like this"

    Leave a Reply to david pierson Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


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