What a blessing to read this today. Thank you, Jason. I am reminded that we live in a constant "never before moment." And now I will also see each never before moment also as a never again moment.
Thanks, Dascha! Staying present feels more existentially important to me now more than ever. I want to have the eyes to see what is happening and the wisdom to know what I can do to make my corner of the world kinder, safer, and better for everyone who finds their way here.
Sometimes it blows my mind to think that we are riding on a planet in constant motion--tumbling towards the sun in the morning & turning away as evening comes. The wonder of it all! Thank you for taking us walking with you. xo
Thanks, Ann! We live in a world of wonders but all to often our fear machines in our skulls focus on the real and imagined horrors and dangers. We all need some balance.
Jason, I loved reading this. You've touched on one of the great marvels of the natural world in this essay. And also one of the great marvels of life. Everything changes. Always.
Thank you so much Jason! I needed to read this. To get my thoughts of scary future events. This is the calmness and the beauty I needed. I love how you look at sunsets, how you appreciate them for what they are!
The jar of Sharks Teeth is such a great gift for your family. As your kids get older they will have so many memories attached to those Sharks teeth!!
Thank you & much good health to you and your Family ✌🏻
It's hard for me to believe that I already have one adult kid (sophomore in college) and have another one graduating this year! In four years, all my kids will be adults. I find myself grateful that I spent so much time when they were younger being silly and creating our own family myths with things like shark teeth, etc. Thank you for your kind words and for being such a booster of me and my work!
You make it very easy Jason!! I always find something in your work that speaks to me about important things. It also will most often my me smile ☀️♥️ thanks!
Beautiful post. I love the repetition of the phrase about the last sunset and how can you not be romantic about the sunset. Gorgeous blue of the ocean in the comic strips too. Love the idea of the jar like a treasure chest of all the memories collected from the beach. Contemplative piece and brought me some melancholy thoughts. The last sunset, the last you'll see. Wonderful work Jason.
Beautiful. And it slaps me upside the head at how I've been retreating inside in the evenings, taking our magnificent sunsets for granted. There must've been other distractions that have kept me from seeing Nature's gifts, but right now, I refuse to remember what those distractions were.
A few weeks ago I started writing as I was walking through the botanical gardens in Missouri. There is something about walking and pausing, and narrating that journey.
I view the path and the phases of the moon in the same way. As it begins to rise from the horizon it is fat, luminous and of a light coppered hue. At this point I feel as though an hour’s flight would put me on its surface. I can see more detail in its craters and seas. It’s that rare blessing every would be aviator over the centuries dreamt about.
As it ascends the sky it seems to deflate somewhat but still retains its soft glow, now transformed to a pearl of nacre. A mellowed spotlight it guides night life in their eternal game of predator and prey as its ghostly glimmer tends to work with the indigo sky to dramatize an apparent world at sleep. It can also show itself as shy or modest as it hides behind filaments, veils of clouds or warn us of impending precipitation through its haloed prism of faint colors.
What a blessing to read this today. Thank you, Jason. I am reminded that we live in a constant "never before moment." And now I will also see each never before moment also as a never again moment.
Thanks, Dascha! Staying present feels more existentially important to me now more than ever. I want to have the eyes to see what is happening and the wisdom to know what I can do to make my corner of the world kinder, safer, and better for everyone who finds their way here.
What a wonderful way to stay present, Jason.
Sometimes it blows my mind to think that we are riding on a planet in constant motion--tumbling towards the sun in the morning & turning away as evening comes. The wonder of it all! Thank you for taking us walking with you. xo
Thanks, Ann! We live in a world of wonders but all to often our fear machines in our skulls focus on the real and imagined horrors and dangers. We all need some balance.
Thanks for sharing your walk. I felt part of your journey witnessing that elusive solitary sunset.
Thank you, Stanley! It's always an honor to travel with you!
What a life-affirming way to end my day. Thank you, Jason!
Thanks for reading, Liz!
You’re welcome, Jason!
Jason, I loved reading this. You've touched on one of the great marvels of the natural world in this essay. And also one of the great marvels of life. Everything changes. Always.
As I age, I find it's easier to observe the changes with wonder and curiosity instead of dread. Sometimes it's easier than others though.
Nature really helps us let go of the dread!
Love this, Jason! This is wonderful in so many ways — the philosophy, the art, the jar of treasures, the reminder to look and be amazed. Thank you.
Thank you so much Jason! I needed to read this. To get my thoughts of scary future events. This is the calmness and the beauty I needed. I love how you look at sunsets, how you appreciate them for what they are!
The jar of Sharks Teeth is such a great gift for your family. As your kids get older they will have so many memories attached to those Sharks teeth!!
Thank you & much good health to you and your Family ✌🏻
It's hard for me to believe that I already have one adult kid (sophomore in college) and have another one graduating this year! In four years, all my kids will be adults. I find myself grateful that I spent so much time when they were younger being silly and creating our own family myths with things like shark teeth, etc. Thank you for your kind words and for being such a booster of me and my work!
You make it very easy Jason!! I always find something in your work that speaks to me about important things. It also will most often my me smile ☀️♥️ thanks!
Beautiful post. I love the repetition of the phrase about the last sunset and how can you not be romantic about the sunset. Gorgeous blue of the ocean in the comic strips too. Love the idea of the jar like a treasure chest of all the memories collected from the beach. Contemplative piece and brought me some melancholy thoughts. The last sunset, the last you'll see. Wonderful work Jason.
Thank you! I often find that wonder and melancholy are connected by an invisible thread.
That’s probably right… very insightful observation.
Now I understand why they say, "Life is a beach."
Beautiful. And it slaps me upside the head at how I've been retreating inside in the evenings, taking our magnificent sunsets for granted. There must've been other distractions that have kept me from seeing Nature's gifts, but right now, I refuse to remember what those distractions were.
Thank you, Sue! We sure do have a lot of distractions available to us.
Gorgeous, Jason. What a nice way to frame your walk.
Thanks, Amie!
I SO enjoyed this. Love this format!
Thanks! I’m enjoying writing these!
A few weeks ago I started writing as I was walking through the botanical gardens in Missouri. There is something about walking and pausing, and narrating that journey.
I view the path and the phases of the moon in the same way. As it begins to rise from the horizon it is fat, luminous and of a light coppered hue. At this point I feel as though an hour’s flight would put me on its surface. I can see more detail in its craters and seas. It’s that rare blessing every would be aviator over the centuries dreamt about.
As it ascends the sky it seems to deflate somewhat but still retains its soft glow, now transformed to a pearl of nacre. A mellowed spotlight it guides night life in their eternal game of predator and prey as its ghostly glimmer tends to work with the indigo sky to dramatize an apparent world at sleep. It can also show itself as shy or modest as it hides behind filaments, veils of clouds or warn us of impending precipitation through its haloed prism of faint colors.
This is beautiful, Thomas! The phases of the moon are a great guide to mindfulness.