“My favorite things in life don’t cost any money. It’s really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time.” – Steve Jobs
The view from my living room balcony, from which I’ve been watching fall come to my apartment complex — because I’ve had time to do so. — Photo by Pat Bean
“Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.” Bill Keanne
What Holes?
Once upon a time, when my life was extraordinarily complicated, I told a psychiatrist that I would be OK when I got through whatever the current crisis was at the time.
A fall leaf and a wooly bear caterpillar, which some say can predict the upcoming weather. — Photo by Pat Bean
He then asked me what would happen when I had no crisis to face. I thought it a stupid question until a few years later when my life suddenly did become crisis free – except of course for the occasional sh*t happens incidents that hit everyone. I discovered that without the stress of surviving one emergency situation after another, there was a great big hole in my life.
It took a while for me to adjust, and many mistakes along the way, before I filled up that hole. I did it by staying extremely active, especially in the outdoors. I hiked, I skied, I rafted, I sailed, I bird-watched and I canoed. And when I wasn’t doing one of those things I was most-likely at work or sleeping.
But because I loved my job so much, I knew that when I retired there would be a big hole once again in my life. That simply wouldn’t do. So I filled it quickly by selling my home and taking to the road full time in an RV. Every day was a new wonder full of route planning, sight-seeing, driving, hiking, bird watching, meeting new people and learning new things.
I stayed on the road, traveling this awesome country for almost nine wondrous years. But then it was time for that life to end.
Three years ago this month, I settled in a small apartment in Tucson. Of course that meant there was another hole to be filled. But I only partially filled it this time around, leaving plenty of time for my mind to gallivant the world from an armchair.
While I still take a few short hikes, write a bit every day, play around with my water colors, do a bit of bird watching, take in a couple of local plays every month, walk Pepper four time a day, and have a friend over a couple of times a week for happy hour, that still leaves plenty of down time, something I’ve never had before in my life.
I love it. I never knew before how much time alone I needed, and would treasure so passionately, until I had time to be alone to simply be with myself.
There are no holes in me.
Blog pick of the Day. Check it out.
Bean Pat: Sunday Meditation http://tinyurl.com/z7jm9qx Positive thoughts in quotes. I loved them.
Pat Bean's blog 
It feels good, doesn’t it? You do as much as you want — no more, no less.
It does. So how is Florida treating you and your wife? I hope well.
What an incredible journey! You have experienced and learned so much along the way. Surely, that ‘hole’ is a fountain of love and wisdom, overflowing to enrich everyone in your life. Thank you for picking ‘Forest Garden’ today. I’m glad it speaks to you. Did you ever make it to the Virginia coast on your travels? ❤
I did and I loved it, as I did every where I traveled. Thanks for your inspiring blog this morning. It was the perfect start to my day.
You are welcome, Pat. May your day be a happy one. WG
Yep, when solitude becomes your friend, you are home at last in yourself!
It surprised me that the day would come when I enjoyed my own company so much. Thanks for commenting Cindy.
I know EXACTLY! I just spent 2 hours plus sipping tea, doing the Sunday NY Times crossword puzzle to which I am addicted, and reading a few pages from an ancient copy of The Reader’s Encyclopedia, full of all sorts of odd bits of information,peeking up occasionally to check out the birds at my feeders and see if it’s started to snow yet. It took me 75 years to “allow” myself such “free” time (not that time is ever “free” it’s just there to use as we choose).
I suspect you kept your days filled as much as I did when we younger. Time to daddle and read and build jigsaw puzzles is one of the best surprise gifts the years have brought me. Who would have thought? Thanks for commenting Doann
Time to just take “breathe!”
And enjoy every breathe, Nancilynn.
Bout time you stopped and smelt the lilacs.. fun to let your mind waqnder
Yup! Cindi
oops wander
How wonderful. 🙂
Thanks Robin. And how wonderful to have time to enjoy your blog, which I one of my favorite
Such a beautiful journey, not everyone around understand the beauty & importance of solitude.
I think part of it has to do with becoming a person you would like to spend time with. Thanks for commenting Melanie.
I love to be alone but it sounds as though you still get a healthy amount of outside stimulation.