Traversing the Bosporus Strait

In August, I found myself in the stunning city of Istanbul, where the Bosporus Strait elegantly separates Europe from Asia. The European side boasts historic mosques and bustling bazaars, while the Asian side is modern and vibrant. These contrasts remind me of the Old Testament and the New.

But why share my Istanbul experience? Imagine a typical commute on public transport. Are you lost in your earbuds, watching videos, or engrossed in a book? That was my routine—until this trip. As we crossed the Bosporus, I decided to take a moment to appreciate the scenery.

Gazing at the water, I spotted something—a fin! It was a dolphin swimming alongside our ferry. The excitement was palpable, especially since my companion and I had been eager to see dolphins throughout our trip. This unexpected encounter made me ponder: What if I had remained glued to my phone?

The dolphin would have still been there, but my choice to look up allowed me to witness a moment of magic in my otherwise ordinary journey. Are we navigating through life as if blindfolded, missing the beauty that surrounds us?

Life's True Colors

“If you ventured into a mundane task like grocery shopping and engaged fully with the experience, you would likely find an overwhelming sense of joy.” — Anonymous French Professor

It’s the routine actions that often merge into the background, leading us to mistake normality for dullness. Consider the internet—a cornerstone of our daily lives filled with extraordinary technology. Massive cables stretch beneath oceans, transmitting invisible information.

Imagine if we could appreciate every flower, every use of the internet, or even the moon without the 'goggles of habit' clouding our perception. Just because something is familiar doesn’t mean it lacks wonder.

Alan Watts beautifully articulates this in his story "Murder in the Kitchen," where he suggests that cooking transforms into a sacred act. Instead of viewing it merely as a chore, consider it a ritual where raw ingredients are skillfully prepared, resulting in a delightful meal that nourishes both body and spirit.

A Life Abundant in Miracles

You can navigate life with your head down, music blasting in your ears, and still manage. But why settle for such an existence? By paying closer attention to your surroundings, the mundane can morph into something astonishing.

Consider the melodies of birds at dawn, the vibrant hues of flowers in a garden, or the warmth of the sun on your skin. Reflect on the transformation of caterpillars into butterflies and the lunar phases shaped by Earth's shadow. We are spinning on a rock in the cosmos at an astonishing speed—it's all miraculous!

If you choose to look closely, everything radiates wonder. Yet, ignoring this beauty leads to a dull existence filled with pain and sorrow. While challenges certainly exist, they are only part of the spectrum of life. You are shaped not only by your companions but also by the thoughts you embrace. Open your mind, and suddenly your glass isn’t just half-full; it overflows.

I feel fortunate to witness the sunset's gradient of pink and to observe playful dogs in the park. I relish the convenience of modern comforts and cherish the consciousness that allows me to appreciate it all—the greatest miracle of all.

How many more chances do we have to see beauty in the ordinary? Remove those 'goggles of habit' and engage with life as you did before the world imposed its norms.

Many of us spend our youth striving for adulthood, yet the true challenge for adults is to reclaim that childlike sense of wonder and joy. The choice is yours: to focus on the beauty of a flower or to dwell on the unpleasant scent of fertilizer.