Don’t know what you’ve got til its gone. They paved over paradise and put up a parking lot.
I couldn’t help but sing along to the Counting Crows 2002 version of Big Yellow Taxi (Joni Mitchell- 1970) this morning when it came on the radio.
I also thought this song is about so much more than a lost love or urban sprawl.
What exactly is paradise? Is it somewhere outside in the world, a place that we just haven’t traveled to yet or something else?
On the physical level could it be about regretting lost health? Most definitely, and that’s another story for another time. But on a deeper level, is paradise somewhere inside of us and it’s just been paved over and over and over again so that we just don’t see, hear or feel it anymore.
The definitions for paradiseare varied from biblical to sensual. The origins are Greek meaning “an enclosed park”. I personally like a place that is positive, harmonious, timeless, a state of delight and peace.This is a place I’d definitely like to go, to be in, to stay in.
You don’t have to have had some awful stuff happen to you to pave over your paradise, just the everyday normal stresses/worries and hassles will do it. It is so easy to lose/forget who you really are and what’s important. This is why I believe a daily self care practice is so important (whether it be tapping or a sitting, walking or writing meditation).
If you can’t find 30 minutes, what about 15?. And if you can’t find 15 minutes, why not?
The purpose of meditation is to bring you to the present moment without the chatter and distractions from outside or inside the mind.
This stillness is when you find clarity or peace or contentment, your blessings and yes, your paradise.
Grateful for this view out my window this winter.
Counting my blessings and 8 turkeys as well!
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