Beauty in the breakdown.

Went kayaking on a local lake yesterday. It was the hottest day of the year, and we were surrounded by water we couldn’t drink or swim in, but it was beautiful.

Between paddling around and racing Amanda, there were several moments where we’d stop and lay back on the boat to let the wind and current take us around. We wouldn’t talk, but we’d listen.

During these moments, my mind raced around the state of the world and the thought of life. I thought about sitting in the quiet in the middle of this lake when so much was going on everywhere else. I thought about the oil in the Gulf and war and money and how fast everyone tries to move. I closed my eyes and listened to the birds and the zicadas and the paddles. It was so hot I could pretty much hear the heat too, and it was nice.

There really is beauty in the breakdown of things. As crazy as the world is, and as sad as the overall state of things can be, there is ALWAYS something beautiful nearby. You may or may not agree, but I’ve always been a glass half-full type of guy, and it’s definitely something I believe in. My time on the lake yesterday was a nice way to slow down for a while and soak some of that beauty into my head. As few and far between as these moments can be, they tip the scales into making the tough and wasted moments worth putting up with.

John Mayer made a great point in one of his concerts last week. He said that most of the time, we’re living through tough moments and bullshit, but the good times in your life always stand out. Focusing on these good times, you don’t realize how short they really are. “The best night of your life may only last from 10-2,” he said, “but you don’t think about it only lasting four hours. You think about how it was the best night of your life.” He pointed out that these moments become harder to find as you get through certain obstacles, but that embracing them can get you through anything. The guy knows what’s up.

I only spent two hours on the lake, but it was my last free Saturday before school starts. Change is coming, and it’s scary and good, and yesterday was a great way to relax and soak in the beauty before I start running for a while. It was simple, hot, and pretty, and I’ll hold onto it to get me through the tough and the normal…

D.