I’ve sung in choirs most of my life. While my voice is not particularly good, it is loud, a desirable quality in the usually small alto sections.
Two years ago, I moved into a new apartment that faced west with warm afternoons and gorgeous sunsets. Outside, I enjoyed viewing a single mountain, a slice of ocean, golf course greenery, salty ponds and magnificent changes of light as the sun escaped the day. Each evening, I decided to make a date with nature, to stop whatever I was doing and commune with the disappearing sun, mesmerized by pearlescent light.
One Tuesday evening, after choir practice, excited by the brilliant sky, I spontaneously began to sing. I’ve been in the same Buddhist choir for over twenty years and many of our songs are about nature. As I gazed at the orange sun, I sang The River Song, whose refrain features the words:
The beauteous life upon the banks gives meaning to this journey without end.
One with space and time in a never-ending rhyme; beauty fills my soul again.
I sang with heartfelt delight in the beauty of life and approaching night. Unexpectedly, I greatly enriched my life.
The Beckoning Hand is another favorite sunset song.
As I hear the calling voice from the western shore, ever gently urging me on the path I walk.
So inspired, resolute as I make my way, I see bathed in the light, world of joy in peace.
All at once, one day, I combined two habits – singing and quiet sunset time – into one, resulting in deeper experience of life.
Real Life – Real Laughs:
Humor When You Need It Most
Cate Burns’ thirty-eight non-fiction stories of heartfelt humor explore society’s foibles and personal snafus with insightful zingers that will delight readers. Burns casts an unstinting, cock-eyed look at personal change, friendship, sanity and courage.
“Absolutely LOVE the descriptions in this work. Very, very, very clever and, dare I say it? -unique. This is refreshing, funny, inventive and delightful.” -Sharon Whitehill, Ph. D.
