This is not a tree. It’s a grass. Hmm, it seems that it shouldn’t be here in the realms of Stripes and Trees. However, whilst out jogging this afternoon, amongst millions of trees, when I saw these grasses standing tall at the waters edge, catching the afternoon sunlight, showing off their delicate beauty, I stopped. I was running quite fast so I had to turn and run back. I couldn’t get the the image of them out of my head. It had only been a few seconds, but I knew I had to go back and take a photo. In my head I was saying ‘it’s not trees, it’s not stripes…shall I bother?…it’s lovely anyway, go and appreciate it….oh well, I’ve stopped now…might as well…but it’s not trees…’ And actually, the photo is pretty rubbish. Doesn’t do it justice at all. I hate the random grass across the top right corner. I’m not going to photoshop though…no idea how anyway. It is what it is. But was it worth it? What was all that head chatter about? So much energy taken up in a split second for a disappointing photo. Why?
I think I know. It was to learn ‘good enough’.
Years ago I’d be worried that stopping whilst running would be bad for my time or pace. But these days, just being out and running is good enough. Oh yeah.
Most of the time I worry what people think. Not sure why, I just always have. It’s so annoying, so draining. The act of taking this photo was fine, no one needs to see it. It is the sharing that brings tension. Usually I wouldn’t post a disappointing photo. I’d be worried what people think. ‘She’s not very good…why did she put that up…oh my’. I’m normally lucky and just point and snap and get the shot – I do have an eye for composition (thanks dad!) But I’m not a photographer, so right now, this photo of the grasses is good enough.
This ‘good enough’ sentiment has been following me around for a few weeks, popping up at work, on social media, at home, even from my kids. It’s resonated each time, and so now I am acknowledging it.
Last week I made the kids dinner and afterwards I gave them a shop bought mini apple pie and ready made custard. My daughter said ‘thanks mum, that was the best’ after inhaling it, and I said ‘thanks, but I didn’t make it I bought it’ and she said, and I’m not kidding, she actually said ‘that’s ok mumma, that’s good enough’. Years ago I’d worry about not being able to make meals from scratch, but now as I juggle life’s balls daily, I’m ok to drop one, and be more resourceful and get help when needed (thanks pie makers and Dairys!) These days feeding the kids pudding at all, is good enough.
And as I lie next to my ‘finally sleeping’ son writing this, I reflect on today. We didn’t go to the cherry blossom festival as I had hoped we would do, but after a reassessment of challenges and needs (thanks hubby), instead we chose family time, house time, exercise time, kid time, park time. It wasn’t pink and gentle and serene, we had tears and tantrums, but we also had giggles, cuddles, cubbies, questions, sibling sharing, and Yorkshire puddings (shop bought too – don’t tell my dad!). We had the kind of Sunday reminiscent of my childhood. It was good enough.
Today was good enough. Tomorrow will be good enough. We are all good enough.
Love Stripes and Trees xxx
Stripes & Trees 