Monday, June 14, 2010

Red is for rest, relaxing and reading

I was given a chair for my birthday; a beautiful 'bear' chair, which, I was told, is a unique Canadian style. It was given to me without paint or varnish or stain so I could decide on the final finish myself. I sat in it while I gave my thanks and noticed how comfortable it was as it supported my back and head - but the finish - what was it to be? Back in my garden I looked for the perfect spot where it was to reside; where I could relax, and rest and read. Finally, after moving it from spot to spot, I decided I wanted to enjoy it from inside the house too, so I opted for a spot beside the pond, which I can see from the kitchen. Now the colour had to be selected; from the kitchen the backdrop was green and I wanted cheery, bright, joyful and it didn't take long for me to settle on RED! My son-in-law took on the task and within a day the chair came back a bright fire engine red. It's perfect! It is the ideal accessory to my garden, and I've taken to relaxing there in the afternoon. However, I'm not one to sit in the garden very much, I just can't seem to sit still for long before I notice something that needs my attention and I spring from my resting spot to deal with whatever has called to me. But the red chair is different. For a start the slope of the seat and the back means I can't sit upright. When my head is lying back my eyes are forced upward so I don't see the things that would ordinarily be calling to me. So in that pose, I ponder, I think, I day dream; I take time out from the 'busyness' of work. The red chair got me thinking about how often I see the world from the same usual vantage point and how beneficial it would be if I sat with a colleague or friend or just by myself in a new location, a coffee shop or a park bench. Would the new location help us to talk about things a little differently? Would we relax and learn about each other's dreams and desires? Would some quiet pondering bring new business ideas or approaches to the forefront? I believe it would. So I'm really delighted with my shiny red chair, not only because of the beauty it brings to my garden, but because of the lesson it brought home from a few minutes looking skyward on sunny afternoon. I will make time to rest, relax and reflect and forget about being so busy for just a little while.