Ruth – I love this photo! One of my favorite books – probably the most influential book I’ve ever read – is “Be Here Now” by Baba Ram Dass (also known as Richard Alpert, a colleague of Timothy Leary). It was published in 1971, the same year I got married and the same year I got out of the Air Force. It was a transformational book for me and a counterculture bible. The main essence of the book, as the title suggests, is that we’re missing out on life if we’re living in our heads rather than connecting with the immediacy of being alive – being aware and mindful of what is happening at this very moment. That’s a concept that is has now been popularized as mindfulness.
I think I shall find that book and read it Ken. I remember reading a book Wherever you Go, There you Are (1994) by Jon Kabat-Zinn on Mindfulness. I’m glad you liked the photo. There I was at a red light, not quite under the train tracks overhead, and I read the words. Definitely a meant to be. I’d taken a different exit off the interstate due to backed up traffic.
Years ago my brother and I would take week long motorcycle trips mostly on back country two lane roads. On one occasion we were following Lee’s retreat route from Petersburg to Appomatox Court House. We left a small town and kept getting turned around and ending up back in the same town. We stopped in an old style gas station. We told and elderly gentleman there that we were lost. He said you are not lost, you are here. So true, we had to smile. Your photo reminded me of this meeting. It had an impact. I still picture him and the gas station. Also, I read both books mentioned and totally agree.
Ruth – I love this photo! One of my favorite books – probably the most influential book I’ve ever read – is “Be Here Now” by Baba Ram Dass (also known as Richard Alpert, a colleague of Timothy Leary). It was published in 1971, the same year I got married and the same year I got out of the Air Force. It was a transformational book for me and a counterculture bible. The main essence of the book, as the title suggests, is that we’re missing out on life if we’re living in our heads rather than connecting with the immediacy of being alive – being aware and mindful of what is happening at this very moment. That’s a concept that is has now been popularized as mindfulness.
I think I shall find that book and read it Ken. I remember reading a book Wherever you Go, There you Are (1994) by Jon Kabat-Zinn on Mindfulness. I’m glad you liked the photo. There I was at a red light, not quite under the train tracks overhead, and I read the words. Definitely a meant to be. I’d taken a different exit off the interstate due to backed up traffic.
Words to live by……
Thanks because I never know where I am (true story)
Great picture, the book sounds like a must read for sure.
Years ago my brother and I would take week long motorcycle trips mostly on back country two lane roads. On one occasion we were following Lee’s retreat route from Petersburg to Appomatox Court House. We left a small town and kept getting turned around and ending up back in the same town. We stopped in an old style gas station. We told and elderly gentleman there that we were lost. He said you are not lost, you are here. So true, we had to smile. Your photo reminded me of this meeting. It had an impact. I still picture him and the gas station. Also, I read both books mentioned and totally agree.
A lovely way to beautify the city.