Just in case you aren’t aware of this, it’s been rather cold lately. And that’s an understatement because it’s been arctic nasty cold!

Because of those way below zero actual temperatures and those further below zero wind chills, my daily walks have been placed on hiatus for now. Yes, I miss my meandering, but it’s what I’m not getting that bothers me the most.

Watching and receiving…

A while ago, and while reading a book entitled “Sacred Nature” by Karen Armstrong, the author reaffirmed to me how the divine is found in all the floral, the fauna, and in every piece of rock and grain of soil. I’ve read and studied a lot about this all inclusive viewpoint on our planet, and firmly believe we must believe in and respect our earth. The sacredness of oneness surrounds us.

From ancient Confucianism, Buddhism and Judaism, we are urged to watch and receive the divine in the world — not out there somewhere. The ancient philosophers taught us the three aspects of life — earth, sky and beyond — are all interconnected, and that the underlying philosophy that linked them all together was to watch and receive. When you see it, you will receive it. Within that movement is the divine.

OK, that could go on for awhile, but I am going to let you decide where you want to go with these thoughts. Here’s where I’m going.

After a recent family gathering, I inherited a bottle of Etude’s Napa Valley Fortitude red bland wine. There’s a good story behind how I got the bottle, and I’ll only say I waited for the right moment and then inherited it!

I was a little wary of the cork. It’s been in the bottle for 19 years, and who knows how the wine was stored. I twisted in my cork screw, and immediately knew the cork was dry and that it would crumble. It did. But one must go forward at that point and I eventually moved the cork out of the way, drained and strained the liquid. Job accomplished! I saw the deep red color of the wine, and, before tasting it, tried to identify its taste by smelling the wine’s aroma. It surprised me!

The wine was rather full bodied, and it possessed a black pepper taste along with its flavors of red cherries. The wine intrigued me. Upon further research, I discovered the wine is made from four different grape varieties: Carbono (58%), Carignane (32%), Valdiguiré (5%) and Petite Sirah (5%). They all bring their unique spice taste to the wine, and I enjoyed it.

I realized that, in my actions, I had watched the wine and had received the offerings it had for me. However, one had to watch carefully so you didn’t receive some unwanted cork in your glass!

When I take walks, I’m very much aware of what’s happening around me. If you haven’t noticed, there are some vehicle drivers out there who seem to believe they own the roadway. Even when I’m in a pedestrian walkway, they will “push” me because of whatever reason.

Therefore, I carefully watch so I don’t receive some unwanted confrontation with a vehicle. We humans have a lot to learn about giving respect to others and the earth, don’t we?

I expect you know how important friendships are in your life, right? More and more research tells us those friends of ours are a vital part of our existence. They are sacred to us. Recently, an old friend communicated with me and asked if we could meet for a coffee chat. Well … duh! It will be awesome to get together, go over old times, learn recent happenings of each other, and to laugh together.

I’ll watch for the date, and prepare myself to receive the enrichment of my old bench sitting friend.

Over the years, I’ve sampled a fair number of wines. Ah … that might be a bit of an understatement, too. However, I keep watching for a new variety or an unknown wine region in the hopes my wine journey will always receive new and exciting tastes.

As you wend through life, may your journey take you to new discoveries in your areas of interest. Always, keep an eye out for the sacredness of everything, and you will receive the fullness of life.

As always, eat and drink in moderation but laugh with reckless abandon!

Cheers!