Is Your Head in the Clouds?
Bows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
~Joni Mitchell, Both Sides Now
What do the clouds look like where you are today? Are they billowy, fluffy balls of cotton? Wisps of fairy floss high in the sky? Or armed giants come to wipe out the sun and bring torrents of rain? Or … have you noticed them at all?
The clouds here today are little toddlers on the horizon, peering up at the big blue sky and not sure if they are allowed to jump onto its big bed and play. I am secretly hoping they are allowed to jump around a bit and make big nuisances of themselves, but I fear I do not get a say in the matter.
Clouds have been cropping up for me all week: in the posts of online friends, in a morning newsletter, and even actually in another post of my own. It seems that, though wispy little things they are, they are definitely trying to get my attention.
And I think the reason is this: They want me to slow down. They want me to dream a little.
So, on this fabulous Friday (which I truly hope it is in your part of the world), I am going to ask you to do one simple, easy-peasy thing for me today … if you don’t mind: Would you go outside today and look at the clouds?
You can do it from your porch, from your front door, from the back garden, from the seat of your car. And if your clouds are behaving and you’re really feeling dreamy, you can do it lying in the grass. Maybe on a blanket. Maybe with a friend.
We’ve all occasionally forgotten what it is to stop and change our perspective. It’s amazing how different things look when we’re lying flat on our backs, looking up into infinity.
Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time. ~J. Lubbock
Happy Friday, everyone!
Clouds love to shape-shift and transform themselves.
What shapes do the clouds take for you today?
In what ways would you too like to shape-shift and/or transform your life?
What did you see when you looked up into infinity?
Your comments are welcome.
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This is a great post about clouds. As you know, I’ve been thinking about them a lot lately and your post added some even more interesting ideas about clouds. Right now, I’m looking out the window at a cloud-less sky, which is another interesting concept in relation to clouds…
It’s a stormy day here, so our clouds are layered shades of gray and moving swiftly across the sky. To me, they’re powerful. I’m following their lead today by embracing my own power as I make choices and decisions throughout the day.
.-= Jean Sarauer´s last blog ..6 Things That Get Easier About Blogging if You Just Keep Going =-.
They are big and pillowy. I want to soar out my window for a few moments to jump on them!! What a great way to start my day, Carla! Thank you!
@Positively Present: Hmmmm … cloudless sky equals blank slate equals endless possibilities?
I’m so glad you’re doing well. Looking forward to being more in touch with you over the next few weeks.
@Jean: Oh, I love this! I’m “embracing my own power”! That’s fantastic, Jean. Thank you for sharing it!
@Ruthie: Ruthie! Oh, it’s such a treat to see you over here today. Big and pillowy clouds are perfect for making shapes! I’m glad this was a good start to your day, and I hope you have an equally good weekend.
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Clouds are amazing. I like to look at them and note their shape and color but also the blue of the sky at any given time or the way the sun is shining on the clouds, just, so! I actually like that clouds change color – I love the dark clouds that promise wonderful rain or the look of the clouds as lightening flashes.
Aren’t they just little interesting aspects of life that many of us forget to notice from within our offices or beneath the roofs of our cars?
Have a play filled weekend!
.-= The Exception´s last blog ..For Me? =-.
no clouds in the sky for me right now. I miss the majestic clouds in New England and the East Coast (US). I am a cloud lover. Today however, there are no clouds in my California sky.
This post has a a great “wonderment” … it makes me think of the post you had on The Calm Space earlier this week. I will say you have me thinking about “wonder” a lot this week.
ahhhhhhh
.-= Aileen´s last blog ..2 Frugal Tips For Updating Your Wardrobe =-.
I’m looking outside right now. The clouds are white, fluffy, drifting ever so gently in the pale blue sky. I think I might go out and lie on the grass and watch them a little longer. Another thing to be grateful for today!
.-= Claire – Gratitude Connection´s last blog ..Today I’m grateful for… =-.
@The Exception: I love that the clouds change color, too! And the shape of them … the varying shades of blue of the sky … the way sunlight can play upon them (under them, through them, etc) … these are a wonder to behold. I hope you enjoy your weekend of cleaning out and letting go. x
@Aileen: Hi, Aileen. I most definitely had my Calm Space post in mind when I wrote this. I’m so glad you’ve been thinking about wonder this week: it’s so easy for us all to forget about it.
@Claire: Hi, Claire. It was wonderful to see you here today. Thank you for sharing what the clouds looked like outside your window: white, fluffy, and drifting sound like the perfect clouds for daydreaming. Did you indeed go outside and lie in the grass? Hope you’re having a wonder-filled weekend.
Carla,
It’s a hazy Saturday morning here in the NY area. We’re expecting thunderstorms at some point.
You know you’re post reminded me of how I used to lay out on the grass in my parents’ back yard when I was a kid and watch the clouds. My sister and best friend and I would try to find the shapes in the clouds.
It was so peaceful and relaxing. I haven’t done it in years and years.
Hmm, maybe I’ll find some time this weekend to sit on my deck and do just that!
Thank you for bringing back this beautiful memory to me.
.-= Angela Artemis´s last blog ..Would Your Rather Have a Big House Or A Big Life? =-.
Hi, Angela. I’m so glad this post brought back that lovely memory for you: that was really what I was hoping for in this post, that it would get people to just pause for a moment in the busy-ness of the day and see things a bit differently, get a sense of wonder back, something that would spark a little bit of change.
I love afternoon thunderstorms. If you truly get any this weekend, I hope you will sit on your deck or your porch and enjoy the thunderstorm for me. This is one of the things I miss most about summer in the South. xx
We have had many clouds each day….some come and go and move from south to north…get dark and then the sun breaks through. We pray for rain to be in some of them and then we get a popup shower that moves on. Clouds are beautiful espeically when you are on a plane going through them and rising just above them and you feel that you could get out and walk all through them. It is very relaxing to watch the clouds laying on your back have done that many times when I was young and could get up easily. I like clouds.
Hi, Mom! I loved your comment, especially because you mentioned a perspective of looking at clouds that we often forget about: the few times we are able to see them from above. It’s a rare thing for most of us. How do you when you’re flying ABOVE the clouds? Your words definitely make me think. Thank you for this. Love you!!!
Hey there Carla. Love your exploration of clouds. They are magical. I was such a dreamer as a kid and could stare for hours, lying in the grass, at the clouds. Stories wove through the sky.
Today was hazy, then the clouds blew out. Blue skies right now. Neat how we all share the same sky, really. Thoughtful post.
katie´s last [type] ..7-Week Life Cleanse: Gathering Ease & Flow in Week 3
Not a cloud in the sky here in Florida. But I will remember to take a look at them the next time they appear
Hi Carla.
It’s Saturday. I was out for a walk and there were no clouds in the sky. It was a perfectly beautiful sunny day. Having said that, my head is always in the clouds, lol. I can’t go outside without looking up and around and down and every which way. I love lying in the grass looking up at the clouds and trying to see shapes in them.
Davina´s last [type] ..Guest Post: A Muse for My Dreams
@Katie: Oh, Katie, I love that: “Neat how we all share the same sky, really.” We do! And yet it looks completely different depending on where we are! Lovely nuggets in your simple comment. Thank you. (And well done this week on your guest post at Write to Done! Congratulations, lady! You’re gathering momentum for sure!
).
@Ralph: Ralph! It was so nice to see a new face. Thank you for stopping by! I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
@Davina: Oh, dear Davina – Why does your comment not surprise me?
I could totally see you out there looking here, there, and everywhere and being dreamy, dreamy, dreamy. This is one of the things I love about you! Thank you for sharing here today. x
p.s. Did no one have clouds in their sky today?
Clouds, clouds and more clouds, yes I’m typing this from the UK.
It’s no big deal, the clouds bring rain and my garden needs the rain.
Looks like every cloud does have a silver lining. LOL
Keith Davis´s last [type] ..Laugh and the world…
Hi, Keith. It was nice to see a new face here today. What part of the UK are you in? We’ve got several friends in the Manchester area, where there are frequently a LOT of clouds. I tend to like the rainy ones, unless they stick around for too many days. Maybe this is why Greece is a better fit?
(Although, let me say that I miss the fat little rain clouds in the summer. Months and months without them has me aching for them by the time the end of Sept [and the first fall storm] rolls around.) So happy you stopped by; hope to see you again.