I was taking a morning walk with one of my pups and we paused at the fence-line of a local ranch to watch one of the horses grazing. This happens to be my dog's favorite horse, because it will often permit him to bump noses through the fence. He finds all things related to horses fascinating.
Today, however, the horse was grazing on some hay that had been dumped by the fence line. We paused, as usual, hoping for a greeting, but he kept his head down, chewing on the hay. We were just two feet away, talking to him and waiting, but sadly, he ignored us. Eating that hay took his full attention. Eventually, my dog decided it was time to move on, but for my part, I was mesmerized by the gentle sounds of grazing. I could have stood there for a long time.
Continuing our walk, I smiled at the thought of how little attention I give to my own meals. I sometimes eat while I read or while I am on the computer. More often, while I am eating, my attention is on some sort of inner monologue, and after the first few bites the food has lost its fascination. I seldom give it my full attention.
Sadly, I have been rewarded for multi-tasking and not for giving wholehearted attention to the task (or the person) at hand. Finally, I am seeing the light here and learning to practice giving my full attention to the moment. Guess what? When I take the time to notice, the salad I prepared for lunch is full of subtleties and sweet and spicy surprises! Even the water is ambrosia when I notice its path through my mouth and down my throat! Everything is richer and more magical when I give it my wholehearted attention and participate in the moment at hand.
I pause between paragraphs to take a sip of that same ambrosial water. When I linger even a moment longer here, what a difference it makes! Pause. Savor. Participate. Today, a grazing horse gifted me with a peak at a different way of living. It is a more wholehearted approach to each moment, attentive and full of appreciation and wonder. Enough said. I hope you will join me in savoring this moment, the next and the next, by giving it your wholehearted attention and presence.
Horses are magical! Have you ever watched one gallop through a field with no rider, no harness - totally free? Grace personified. I have learned many things from horses just being horses. So I'm not surprised the one munching on his hay inspired you.