Life Lesson #8 From Camel’s Hump

 

#8     Sometimes, we just have to stop and listen.

 

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Wild rose flowers at Pyramid Lake in Jasper National Park, Canada — Photo by elenathewise through depositphotos.com

 

I’m a big fan of the cliche, “stop and smell the roses” and I pride myself on not losing sight of those metaphorical roses as I move through my day. I like it even more, particularly when I’m in a hurry, when there are real roses to actually stop and smell.

 

Alas, Camel’s Hump offered none in the literal sense.  It did, however, provide me two opportunities to listen to a waterfall. And I jumped at them both.

 

Can you hear the water? It lasts less than 10 seconds.

[quicktime]https://janetgivens.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/5-Water.mov[/quicktime]

 

Well, “jumped” is perhaps a bit too enthusiastic. What enthusiasm I mustered went into grabbing my cell phone to capture the sound and the visual. I love the sound of moving water, whether it’s running over rocks or pounding upon the beach. This one provided me a much needed respite from my trek.

 

How about you? When are you most likely to stop and “listen to that nearby waterfall?” 

 

 

[learn_more caption=”If you missed the earlier posts in this series, here are the links: “] #13     When the going gets tough, each step is of equal importance.

#12     Sometimes, perseverance is more important than having fun.

#11     Sometimes, there is no single, absolutely right place to put your foot.

#10    Sometimes, when we try to follow the signs, it ends in disaster.

#9     Sometimes, the path we need to take doesn’t look like a path at all.
[/learn_more]

18 Responses

  1. Anonymous
    | Reply

    Loved the sound. It is so soothing.

  2. Marian Beaman
    | Reply

    We’ve visited the gorgeous Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada. And recently I saw sights like the waterfall while hiking in the Smokies of NC this past June. I even blogged about it with nature sights similar to these. My Quick-time clip was a campfire burning, not a waterfall – ha!

    Yes, I did click on the video. (Tipping us on the time frame was an incentive, Janet!)

    Thanks for the nature walk today. Soothing thoughts as I warm my writing chair in hot, hot Florida.

    • Janet Givens
      | Reply

      Stay cool, Marian, stay cool. There’s always been something mesmerizing about the sound of water for me. But you’ve reminded me that I also love to stare at a campfire. I searched for your Jasper NP blog, to get the campfire link, but couldn’t find it. Why not post it here? I’d love to sit and stare.

  3. Joan Z. Rough
    | Reply

    Like you I love the sound of moving water. But for me there is nothing like the song of a wood thrush in the spring and early summer. It fills me with joy and total well being. I abhor the sounds of lawn mowers, weed eaters, and most mechanical things. There is nothing peaceful about them.

    • Janet Givens
      | Reply

      Down in Chincoteague, with its clouds of tourists all summer, they’ve made Sunday a day for “no motors” — mostly meaning lawnmowers, chain saws, drills. When we lived there full time I was a real fascist about it; making sure all newcomers to the area understood. I think I needed the respite too. I envy you your ability to identify bird song. The only one I’ve ever been able to note was the mockingbird we had near us in Philadelphia who did a great car alarm sound each mornning. Thanks for checking is Joan. Enjoy your summer.

  4. Kathleen Pooler
    | Reply

    Janet, One of my favorite memories of being at our cottage at the lake was to wake up in the morning to the sounds of the water lapping on the shore. It made me linger just a little longer better getting out of bed to start my day. If I was on that hike, a waterfall would definitely stop me in my tracks.
    Kathy
    http://krpooler.com

    • Janet Givens
      | Reply

      A lovely memory, I know. I can just picture you snuggled under the covers listening to the lapping sound. Thanks for adding it to our chorus, Kathy.

  5. Shirley Hershey Showalter
    | Reply

    Janet, we visited a waterfall also this summer (Wahclella Falls, near Portland, OR) , and I did the same thing you did. I rolled the iPhone video so that I could keep hearing that sound.

    You have a talent for enjoying the roses and the waterfalls of life. Thanks for sharing the joy.

    Keep enjoying!

  6. Janet Givens
    | Reply

    I take that as high praise, Shirley. I love that we share that. And I agree; I do love those “roses,” of all sorts and shapes. I stop at neighborhood swing sets too, often, and see how high I can swing. My inner little one likes to play. As you know. 🙂

  7. Susan Joyce
    | Reply

    I’m so fortunate to live near water and I love hearing it. It’s such a soothing sound when the waves lap the coastline. A giver of energy!

  8. […] #13   When the going gets tough, each step is of equal importance. #12   Sometimes, perseverance is more important than having fun. #11    Sometimes, there is no single, absolutely right place to put your foot. #10   Sometimes, when we try to follow the signs, it ends in disaster.  #9     Sometimes, the path we need to take doesn’t look like a path at all. #8     Sometimes, we just have to stop and listen. […]

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