The Color Purple

Taken in the Orchid Room at the Garden Conservatory - Biltmore Estate

Asheville, NC - October 30, 2010

"I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it."

Alice Walker Quote from "The Color Purple"

 

From early childhood, shades of purple and lavender have been my favorite colors.  My room contained every shade of purple that existed and I am always amazed that I never grew tired of it.  To this day, although many colors have been added to my list of "favorites," shades of lavender always draw my attention.  In 1985, the movie, "The Color Purple," had a profound impact on my life in many ways, but the above quote from the book and the movie, is one that became a mantra and remains that even to this day.  It is rare that I walk by anything that is in the purple family without taking notice of it.  

 

For the purpose of clarification, let me emphatically state that the God I love, know and serve does not become "pissed" off, but I believe he is saddened in a way we rarely understand, by the lives of those he created as they rush, grab, hurry and frantically meander their way through days in which they fail to "notice" ANYTHING!  

 

How could you walk by this..............................

 or this.....................................

and not, "notice?"

I've written before (see this post) about our season passes to Biltmore Estate.  One of the joys of having those passes is the opportunity to go with little agenda in mind and just observe.  On this day, here are some of our observations regarding most people's failure to "notice."

• An overwhelming indication that the day contained no joy of any sort.  Evidenced by observed interaction within their group or family unit, body language and verbal communication. 
• Physical inability (or refusal) to walk to the gardens from the mansion.  Evidenced by the observation that most of that days visitors were extremely overweight.  The gardens and conservatory are a VERY short walk from the mansion and as I waited near an information desk for maybe three minutes while Mr. B was in the restroom, I heard "can we drive" and "is there anything to eat there?" 
• Allowing far too little time to visit the Estate and becoming frustrated when forced to hurry.
• Spillover from pent-up frustration in everyday life evidenced by shoving, horn-blowing, impatience and rudeness.   

I just wanted to cry or scream or something, "people, people, it's SATURDAY, this is a LEISURE activity.  Enjoy this beautiful place, notice the people you are with, learn what life wants to teach you today, slow down, pay attention, get a grip!" 

But I didn't.  I took Mr. B's hand (we hold hands a lot!!) and said, "thank you."  Thanks for loving me through the gains and losses of every pound, through every idiosyncrasy I have (and there are many!), for loving the simple life we have created and for the positive way you have taught me to NOTICE! 

I am afraid to weigh!  This reprieve has been sorely needed and caused me to deeply examine the pressure I have put on myself to achieve results by a certain deadline.  Being the goal oriented person I am, that has worked in the past, but perhaps the lesson I'm needing to learn right now, is one of change or at least, adjustment.  I cannot describe the sense of relief that washed over me late last week, when I just "let go" and said, "I'll get to goal when I get to goal."  It has been wonderful and I have eaten healthy.  But I know that my jeans were a bit tighter when I slipped them on last night - the "intuitive" eating approach does NOT work for me long term and I will have to return to a "plan" at some point in time.  

Here is what I am NOTICING today:

1. Be willing to change.  I must be tired of what I'd been doing.  My "plan" needs to be different.
2. This is very personal so not much detail, but my "quiet time" has suffered at the hands of time in BlogLand.  This cannot continue, but don't worry, blogging is a priority and I will work it out.
3. I am still working on some boundary issues within some friendships.  This is going well.
4. I did not panic when the jeans felt tight.  
5. The time change, although I love the earlier morning light, is still messing with my nights and my eating.  I'm hungry at all the wrong times!
6. Today, I feel happy, content, settled and calm.

Today is November 11 (thanks, Veterans!!!) of our No Nonsense November.  Let's ramp it up a bit and take the remaining 19 days as the No Nonsense November in which we fail to NOTICE NOTHING!!

Please take a moment to think about this.  I'd love your thoughts, but mostly, I just want you to think!  What have you FAILED to NOTICE lately and what will you do to make sure you are more mindful about NOTICING today?