The Ordinary Extrodinary

May 30, 2013

I sat at the corner of the kitchen island at 6:42 AM eating breakfast, and gazed towards the hall, and the dining room beyond, a shine caught my eye. The sparkle comes and goes, there, then not. I realized that it was the morning sun reflecting on the Grandfather clock’s pendulum, so that not only the pendulum shines, but the reflection goes out into the hallway flashing gold here, then gone, here, then gone. It’s a tiny golden road in the middle of the hallway that lasts only seconds at a time.

I’ve lived in this house for twelve years and never noticed this before. There is always more to see and notice in the everyday surroundings. The old isn’t just made new again, it is new. Because I’m not rediscovering the shine of the clock as it paces the hallway, but seeing it for the very first time. By 6:48 AM it is almost gone from the hallway, as if the shining path of light were never there at all, only the gold of the pendulum one hallway and room away still flashes at me, and even this is beginning to fade.

What chance that I would sit here at exactly the right time to see our grandfather clock paint a golden road down our hallway for a few precious minutes? The effect has nearly vanished now at 6:52, but it was magical while it lasted.

So many artists bemoan that they don’t have a good idea, a different enough idea, but moments of beauty, surprise, wonderment, happen all around us, nearly constantly. Do not bemoan that you have no inspiration, open your senses see what is around you and understand that ordinary does not exist, anymore than extraordinary does. They are intermingled and waiting for the right person to notice them and see how truly special one quiet moment can be.

15 thoughts on “The Ordinary Extrodinary”

  2. Perception is magic

    thanks for the enlightenment….i thought my noticing different details each day thought I was losing my mind.

    Now I feel that it just may be the gift of artistic observation =)

    A great weight has been lifted from my shoulders

  4. Like watching the lightening bugs flash at dusk. Watching them flash and flicker around the trees at dusk. Reminds me of the stars that come out to wink at you at night. A rare sight anymore.

  5. What a beautiful telling of a very special and magical moment in your life … I felt as though I was there seeing it with you … one of those rare life moments that was meant to be.

  7. This is an excellent observation. Magical indeed. Clearly, you are the type of writer who can see inspiration in nearly anything. A wonderful gift (once you learn not to be too overwhelmed to focus on one idea at a time). ^___^

  8. i worked nights for years in a downtown highrise. Do you know what i remember about that time, it was the sunsets. i always took my breaks just at dusk so i could watch the sun set. Since i live in the southwest, they were very beautiful when it had just rained and there were clouds in the sky.

  9. That was so beautiful, that right there is the reason I’ve referred to you as my favorite author for over a decade. Reading that for a moment put me in a quiet, peaceful place. There was no gripping drama or wild action but it was wonderful all the same. Thank you for that small insight and thank you for all the amazing work you have done over the years, I look forward to many more stories to come whether they be big or small, complicated or simple.

  10. Just an FYI. I point this out only because I know you want this to be the best it can be. Extraordinary (not extrordinary)is the correct spelling. Unless, of course, it was a conscious decision in which case I sincerely apologize. Not a hater, but instead a big fan. LKH books are MY “guilty pleasures.” Am waiting for more Princess Meredith!

  11. I used to drive to work along the ocean. I’d never realized before how many different ways the sun could reflect off the sea, ever changing along with the wind and clouds.

  12. There are times when the sun’s rays hit the world just right. Here it is the late afternoon sun that makes the green of grass and leaves shine like gold. Infinitely more precious though, for it lasts so little a time.

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