Anything but Bland

The more you are focused on time—past and future—the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is.

Eckhart Tolle
THE POWER OF NOW

An empty day.  I can fill it, change it, rearrange it, or do nothing with it.  There is nothing that I am required to do.  There are no meetings, no cooking, and nothing to hold me in place.  I am clearly blessed.

Life here in Key West is anything but bland.  There is such a mixture of life styles, ethnic groups, languages, and behaviors.  It is as though I have been placed in the middle of the world and someone has taken it like a snow globe and mixed everything all together.  Perhaps this diversity reminds me of my early years growing up in Chicago, IL.  The diversity impacts perceptions, personal appearances, and behaviors.  Feeling some what anonymous in a community makes me feel more relaxed and to a certain extent allows me to feel more a part of rather than an outsider.

Creativity, imagination, and clarity of thought seems to be more prevalent to me than it is at home in the Midwest.   Perhaps being stripped of standard daily baggage, allows me to feel lighter and more free in my thinking.    Maybe it is just a matter of giving my self permission to be settled into each and every moment.

Being in the 'now' I observe the actions of others without judgment, but with wonder.  The moments are here and then gone as people pass by.  In a few more days I will be able to discern who are the visitors, locals, and strays. 

I lazily sit by the harbor watching the boats come and go.  There are pleasure boats, sailboats, racers, schooners, yachts, and house boats.  Many of the locals live out on house boats.  They motor in to work, to do laundry, to shop, to socialize and then motor back out to sleep or have their privacy.  Some commute back and forth in tiny little 'dingys'.  Others are fishermen bringing in their catch to be sold to the local restaurants.

Wandering just around the bend, maybe ten minutes away, I am greeted by lavish hotels with prime ocean front bars.  There is an entirely different segment of Key West here sipping cocktails or shopping in the high price jewelry or clothing stores.  People are tanning by the pools and their skin is no where near the condition of those at the wharf.  Their facial skin is not wind beaten with deep crevices and their hair is groomed and styled.  Although there is just as wide an age span here by the pools, the material wealth is prominent from head to toe.

Moving through the gliztz and bling, I wander to the main drag not far away which is dotted with tourist traps and bars, but unique boutiques as well.  There is a steady stream of people and once again I am lulled by the blend of accents, laughter, and bright bold colors. 

This island is only one mile long, so it is nothing to walk all the way down to the most southern tip.  There are more art galleries here and stores offering local talent creations.   Some bed and breakfasts are blended in with historical sites and the beginning of the long chain of hotels and commercialism.  In my opinion, there is not one place on this island that is not a point of interest, but I much prefer Old Town where we stay.  It is, to me, the heart of Key West taking in the old cemetary, neighborhood restaurants, unique gift shops, health food store, and stretching over to the Bahama Village where my most favorite shop thrives ... Besame Mucho!  Blue Heaven a long established local restaurant (some indoor seating) is here as well offering excellent meals throughout the day. 

I believe it is now time to work my way back to the solitude of our temporary little home, take a dip in the pool, and settle in for a nap on the covered back porch!   I always welcome dream time!