The Value of "The Forgettable"

It's our second summer in Yellowstone, and we’re nearly at the end of our season here. It’s hard to believe that we’re 2 summers in, and still feeling the amazement of all of last year’s ‘firsts’. Seeing Yellowstone for the first time, and getting to explore her bounty for 4 months was a once in a lifetime experience.

Yet, here we are again! I’m asking myself– “What have I learned since we were here last?” I think my biggest take away this season has to do with ‘being present’. We sort of hear this phrase ‘being present’ quite a bit, but you know, it really is important and yet really hard to achieve. For me in our second season here, it really is about assigning value to every moment, even if it’s not dramatic or overly exciting.

Of course, it’s easy to latch on to the emotionally tingly experiences, you know the ones where you’re outside your bus sipping coffee unaware, and suddenly find yourself 12 feet away from a massive bull bison as it casually strolls through your campsite! Or maybe the first time you hear the roar of Lower Falls from a half mile out, and you’re not disappointed when the trail brings you to the edge of the canyon to see it in full view. It’s also the day we portaged our kayaks a half mile out to a deliciously secluded lake to paddle for a couple of hours with just the ducks of Yellowstone. Yeah, the unforgettable is easy….but what about holding on to the ‘lesser’ experiences, the ones that are, dare I say it –forgettable?

As I’m writing this, there’s a gentle tapping of rain on the bus roof, the temperature has dropped 30 degrees in the last 2 hours, but Jay and I are together. We have coffee, we’re warm & dry, and have just enjoyed a bowl of hot homemade soup as we welcome the oncoming night. I don’t want to forget this, or any other uneventful happenings in our lives, whether we spend our days surrounded by incredible beauty of Yellowstone, or making a run to fill up on propane.

I’m realizing with renewed clarity that I am to be more careful with what I deem ‘lesser’ or ‘forgettable’. Each page of our lives contains a myriad of chapters that constantly unfold to reveal our stories. Our ‘book’ is worth living out loud and every paragraph, worth savoring. What a precious tale is told in the magically mundane moments of our lives!

Savoring the simple is truly a supreme objective. It happens when I notice longer shadows as the days get cooler, or realizing that I watch the sun more often than a clock for the time. It happens when the glow of backlit grass captures my attention as much as a grand vista. I’m grateful for feeling a sense of slowed clarity and purpose, knowing they are all rich rewards for placing value on the ‘forgettable’.

Join me in my 'somewhat' new Facebook Group! 🤩

How many of you remember my old Facebook group called Exploring Abstract Landscapes in Watercolor? Well, I'm opening it back up and revamping what I have to share with you. If you're interested, I'd love to have you join me each week and it's 100% free.

My group is now called Think Like a Painter, where I'll be sharing weekly insights on watercolor and the creative process. One of my main goals as an artist is to help others think like a painter! If you'd like to learn more about this concept, join me LIVE for Opening Day, on Friday, November 1, 2024 @ 1pm EST. It'll be our first episode, and I'll be sharing my goals for the group and what you can expect to receive as a listening member each week! Replays will be available in the group if you can't attend!

Join the group, and attend Opening Day with me! (Tip: when requesting to join the group, please answer the questions for automatic approval!)