Don't forget to stop and...

[Molten]

Often as the focused individuals we are, I am sure that we all tend to forget the small things.

Today, I looked up and enjoyed the clouds for more then a minute for the first time in what must be years. I have always loved the clouds. I used to watch them all the time when I was little(usually when getting driven to or from someplace) but now that I drive myself, I completely forgot about this pastime of mine.

So, that is the point of this thread. We overlook the simple things in life and need to remember what we are missing. I would like to encourage others to make a post about something simple they enjoy doing, and then add it to this ongoing list. It can be anything from bubblewrap to pong. Just tell us a bit about it before you add it to the list.

1. Cloud watching

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by Molten

now that I drive myself

1. Cloud watching

Hopefully at different times.


The sound of running water has always had a soothing effect. It does for me at least. The roar of Niagara is calming in its awesome way, but I'm talking about the gentle roars and trickles of a stream that's just a little more than too wide to jump over, going through rocky woods as are often found here in the northeast. Following such a river for just a few hundred yards, marveling at the different ways water can fall, the physics of gravity, and the un-engineered way that the water flows, sub-optimally, just puts me into a calm and happy mood, with my mind energized.

Life seems to be too busy these days, but every so often I'll pass by such a river, find a place to park, and "waste" 2 hours watching water flow.

2. Watching water flow quickly.

[Akash Rastogi]

I feel that once high school and robotics began for me I have always been rushing to complete things. Either caused by procrastination or stringent due dates. It makes me want to go back to previous grades in which I could take some time out and do things carefully and at my own relaxed pace.

3. Take your time

P.S. Jason, I love this thread. Thank you.
You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Molten again.

[Wayne Doenges]

With all the running around I do I forget to enjoy the simple things as a beautiful sunrise/sunset.

4) Watch the sun rise or fall

[Al Skierkiewicz]

One bit of advice I received on my first Philmont trek was to space yourself out on the trail so you can see what is out there. If you walk too close to the person in front of you all you see is their pack and butt.

4. Step back from obstacles so you can see the big picture.

[youngWilliam14]

6 (we had two 4's): Lego robots

[IKE]

7. Enjoy a camp fire.

Like running water or rolling clouds, I could watch a campfire for hours. The crackle, the warmth... The slow transistions as a log burns, and the sudden shifts when a supporting log gives way. The dance of glowing coals with hues of orange and red.

Red orange colas glowing
Dancing Flames swaying about
Warms my face and soul

[SushaK]

8. i love the smell of freshly cut grass in the morning - its so refreshing and soothing almost

9. the night sky is amazing, especially on a nice clear night, i remember visiting my grandma's house in Russia for several summers and being able to lay out on a blanket in the grass just looking at the stars for hours and maybe having a simple conversation with my cousins... those were the times


and i agree with Don Rotolo and IKE - the crackling fire and the sound of running water are absolutely amazing as well!

[Molten]

I thought I'd go ahead and tally our first ten. I'm glad to see many people have taken a liking to this thread and I plan to do a few of these some time this summer.

I decided to add a nap to the list. Sleeping in is nice, but a nap is really the best. It is just so calming to know I've got the time. I used to take one all the time in high school, but now I find it hard to find time to lay back at all. That changes for this summer break. I am taking a nap today and I'm going to enjoy it.

1. Cloud watching
2. Watching water flow quickly
3. Take your time
4. Watch the sun rise or fall
5. Step back from obstacles so you can see the big picture.
6. Lego robots
7. Enjoy a camp fire
8. The smell of freshly cut grass
9. The night sky is amazing
10. Take a nap

PS: Let's start keeping a running tally.

[youngWilliam14]

Originally Posted by Molten

1. Cloud watching
2. Watching water flow quickly
3. Take your time
4. Watch the sun rise or fall
5. Step back from obstacles so you can see the big picture.
6. Lego robots
7. Enjoy a camp fire
8. The smell of freshly cut grass
9. The night sky is amazing
10. Take a nap

it was kinda nice not being on the drive team this year (though i was bored a lot, since i was already on it for two years) so:

11.collecting team give-a-ways

[JaneYoung]

1. Cloud watching
2. Watching water flow quickly
3. Take your time
4. Watch the sun rise or fall
5. Step back from obstacles so you can see the big picture.
6. Lego robots
7. Enjoy a camp fire
8. The smell of freshly cut grass
9. The night sky is amazing
10. Take a nap
11. collecting team give-a-ways

I am hearing-impaired (or, hard of hearing) and have been most of my life. Musical sounds have always been important to me. They can be found in music, voices, nature, everywhere and in everything. I lose the higher pitches – the sounds of children’s voices and laughter, the birdsongs, wind chimes, whispers. Those are places where beauty lies and I often wear my hearing aids so that I can simply listen. Not just to the important exchanges that occur on a daily basis in my job, volunteer work, and with family – but also to those beautiful sounds that create peace and magic and laughter.

12. Listening simply or simply listening

[Kim Masi]

1. Cloud watching
2. Watching water flow quickly
3. Take your time
4. Watch the sun rise or fall
5. Step back from obstacles so you can see the big picture.
6. Lego robots
7. Enjoy a camp fire
8. The smell of freshly cut grass
9. The night sky is amazing
10. Take a nap
11. collecting team give-a-ways
12. Listening simply or simply listening

To quote Henry David Thoreau in his "Walden"- "We must slow down in order to go fast." Life goes by WAY too quickly to sweat the small stuff. Slow down is kind of describing all of these things but slow down in general. Spend time with others. Stop worrying about where you are going and just enjoy the time it takes to get there.

13. Slow down

[youngWilliam14]

Originally Posted by Kim Masi

"Walden"- "We must slow down in order to go fast."

"If you want to get where you want to go, you have to run the other way, you know" -Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There

[PaW]

14. thank someone.

It's amazing what a simple, heartfelt 'thank you' can do for someone.

[AndyB]

15. Find the good in people.