The human mind has amazing capacities and profound mysteries. Two people will read the exact same book passage or poem and come away with two entirely different interpretations. This has beautiful and tragic consequences at times. Poet, Robert Frost completed "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening" in 1922 after he had been up all night writing a long poem called "New Hampshire.". When I contemplate the last lines of the poem, " The woods are lovely, dark and deep." it reminds me of those deliciously rare moments when we are captivated, held silent, stunned by observing what we believe is beautiful. Time seems to slip away when we are creating. That is why being "lost in the moment", being "in the zone" or having Zen like focus is so magical. Imagine as Frost did standing with his gallant horse looking out over a snow covered field in absolute awe. Serenity! It was dark and peaceful. The chill in the air was probably exhilarating to an exhausted writer. Those of us who grew up in frigid climates discover that even the most soot stained, industrialized city will transform into a winter wonderland following a snowfall. "But I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep. And miles to go before I sleep." He must have savored that moment like a juicy, sumptuous ripe pear. He may have felt fully awake, alive and one with the mysteries of the universe. One perfect moment of silent joy was finally his. And then suddenly... out of no where.. there is a buzzz, buzzz as he hears his phone and receives a brief text from his wife. "Robert, don't forget to pick up some milk." and "where are you? It's late!" Okay, no he didn't. It was 1922. Read the poem yourself. However, bills must be paid, children fed, a house cleaned, obligations met. But oh how we LIVE for those moments of beauty and clarity. We live for them.
