Look Up!

My brother has been the head chef at the Hilton Garden Inn in Rockaway, New Jersey for over 15 years. He gets a great deal for us to stay at his hotel when we visit. A few years ago, the Hilton remodeled and turned their hotel into a beautiful place to escape. The hotel lobby is calming and delightful.

On our most recent visit, I decidedly pulled away from homework and didn’t plan any activities for our last day so I could spend time with a friend I had not seen or talked to in many years. We sat in the lobby and talked for hours. It was wonderful! As we reluctantly said our goodbyes, I happened to look up and saw this fun little surprise.

I was tickled when I saw this delightful embellishment. Partly because it was just a pleasant treat to end a great day but I was also amused because it wasn’t until the last day of our last visit, my 14th day over 2 years as a guest at the newly-remodeled hotel, that I looked up and saw this cheery adornment. Nailah and I were in and out of the lobby every day for an entire week and just earlier that morning, I spent two hours in that same lobby doing homework. I never looked up.

How often are we so focused on the task at hand that we miss what is happening around us? Even if it’s something as simple as a whimsical lighting gallery. Being a detail-loving task-master, I understand the importance of tending to details but I also understand it is important to make time to slow down, sit back and take in the environment around us. Just a moment of observation can spark creativity and infuse refreshing.

I encourage you to schedule time with yourself to do nothing. Put it on your calendar and keep it like any other appointment. If you think that’s weird, give your most relaxing spot a name and make an appointment with it. I have named my reading chair Chloe and we have a standing appointment.