Journal of Sacred Work

Days 22-26 – To Savor – The Only Path to Gratitude

Tia chapel lake 2   A hyperactive child I remain a hyperactive adult. I never outgrew the high energy enthusiasm of childhood.

   This trait is freighted with side effects. It interferes with one of life's key practices: Living in gratitude. 

   We know we only have "now." Yet, living in it is deeply difficult. It is not just our contemporary society that yanks our attention a hundred different ways. "Now-living" has always been difficult for our species. 

   My lifelong (hyperactive, of course) search for ways to live in the now led me to one verb: To savor. I posted it on my mirror (a better thing to contemplate then my aging face.) It has been helped.

   Still photographs are avenues to "now-living." The girl photographed in 1981 is my daughter. Ten years old, she stands on the edge of Chapel Lake unable to see her future as a star athlete, class valedictorian, lawyer, wife, professional photographer (she stood next to me in the darkroom) & mother. 

   This picture becomes universal when we practice savoring. Let your eyes slow-walk & you will see grains of sand defined in ways only found in silver prints made from film negatives. Follow the sand below water & find feet. Travel the shadows that dress her legs & discover long hair, shy shoulders & the young face I know in all its ages.

   This is art appreciation. 

   This is also a way to learn that savoring beauty always leads to gratitude. In fact, we can only "now-live" through one verb: To savor.

-Erie Chapman   

Silver Print: "Tia Chapel Lake, 1981) by Erie

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5 responses to “Days 22-26 – To Savor – The Only Path to Gratitude”

  1. Teresa Reynolds Avatar
    Teresa Reynolds

    The most beautiful journal entry. I followed every word through the photograph and lingered on each detail. Thank you.

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  2. Terry Chapman Avatar
    Terry Chapman

    Wonderful photo! I would choose a savor-related topic: wine, to relate to my life and others. Seeds are planted and the young vines reach willingly and freely toward the nurturing sunshine (our parents). They mature slowly with the seasons, and new nuances of character and traits begin to appear.
    The grapes are harvested and turned with “magic” into wines of equally differing characteristics. Some wines and people, are soft to the touch and others somewhat coarse and standoffish.
    Whereas, some wines and people, seem to develop over a lifetime into a rich mixture of appeal, depth, and colorations peculiar to their genes and lifestyles! These persons are recognizable by all of us and they add zest, passion, and authenticity to our lives. Viva la aging processes!

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  3. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    This is such an exquisitely beautiful reflection. Your words an image of your daughter emanate such love and what a lovely way to express gratitude. Yes, savor the moments. Thank you, Erie

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  4. Todd Meador Avatar
    Todd Meador

    The concept “to savor life” reminds me to appreciate what is now in front of me. To be grateful and find ways to enjoy my present moment, self and circumstances.
    We are all aging and never seem to be happy with our age.
    When I was 14, I could not wait to be 16. When I was 16, I wanted to be 21.
    Then my perspective reversed.
    When I was 30, I started to feel old. At 35 I was definitely old. Then at 40, oh wow, was I old!
    I can only imagine that I will feel old at each coming year.
    Now when I look back at being 30, I think about how young 30 was. I wish I was 30 again. Or even 40!
    We only seem to be content about our age when we look to our past and future selves.
    “To savor” reminds me to appreciate and be grateful for what I have at this exact moment. And also, who I am at this exact moment and what age I am right now.
    Because 10 years from now I am certain I will look back at this time and remember how young I was.
    I choose to change my perspective.
    I choose to be young now and to savor this moment.
    I choose to savor what I have and my circumstances right here, right now.

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  5. Julie Avatar
    Julie

    Thank you Erie! and I can’t help but be grateful that we caregivers are reminded to savor things because your meditations. I recently broke my ankle which required 2 months of non-weight bearing. My dear gentleman friend was there for me every day. As a disabled person (I had never been on that end before!) I did “savor the gift of this man in my life that continues to grow.

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