Adventure: Finding Beauty Close to Home
July 6, 2009
One recent Spirit of Aventure story was a guest post by Lori, a Quest For Balance reader who has quickly become my dear friend as well. That post was about a grand adventure she had a few moons ago, serving in the military. It showed a side of her that was tough, daring, and rebellious. But, as you will see, there is another side to my lovely new friend.
Today’s post is from an email she sent me describing a different kind of adventure. You may recall she is now dealing with a chronic illness, but even that can’t dampen her zest for life. Here is Lori’s story of a softer, milder, simpler kind of adventure that renewed her spirit and nurtured her soul not long ago.
FiLoLi Gardens
The sun drenches the roses with compassion and love. I see the buds of the foxglove reaching out to grab the rays like small children reaching for the nurturing hands of their grandmother. Wisdom lies in these gardens. The wisdom of knowing we are all cared for, everything we need will be provided. We just need to unfold our blooms and accept.
At least once a week, I take myself out on a date. I take the time for just me to immerse myself in something beautiful, something I have not yet experienced. Filoli, a country estate 30 miles south of San Francisco, is my suitor this week. I have a ‘thing’ for historical sites. It gives me comfort to know others have gone before me and have left such beauty for others to enjoy. There is good in this world.
The Filoli house, built in 1917, was donated with its formal gardens to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1975. The Filoli center operates the estate, 654 acres, also a California State Historic Landmark. If you see the house it may seem familiar, having been the backdrop for many movies and TV shows (remember Dynasty?).
The original owner’s passion to follow his credo: “Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life,” translates into the name of the estate: Fi-Lo-Li. As I walk through the grounds with strangers, we all experience this credo together.
I inhale scents of honey locust, sweet pea, and lavender. The petals fold and turn through pale whites, brick reds, soft purples, and deep blues as if they were practicing their own form of yoga. The interplay of water pools with reflections of the crystal-blue sky serves as a just backdrop to the songs of the lovebirds singing nearby. I sense my cup filling once again so that, as I pass through another week, I may experience difficulty in a softer light.
Adding adventure to your life does not require life-threatening events—we have access to adventure in the form of the smallest of retreats. Buy flowers at the farmers’ market for your table, put new nubby tires on your bike, or apply those inexpensive indiglow stars to your bedroom wall. Open your senses and fill your cup.
What can you do this week (today?) to treat yourself to a simple adventure? If you take yourself out on a date, where will you go? Have you discovered beauty close to your home? I’d love to hear about it.
Thanks!
Related posts:
- Finding Relief from Sadness: My Favorite Things
- Adventure: The Joy of Mini-Adventures
- The Sixth Step to Finding Fulfillment: Be Honest
- Adventure: Starting Over
- Fellowship Fridays: Finding Happiness
Posted in Spirit of Adventure, beauty, happiness, love, simplicity
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I’m not really a fan of visiting ‘gardens’ and experiences like this. Maybe because of my age, maybe because there’s too much going on in my head.
I do like the name of the place though, very imaginative.
I spent the whole day yesterday with my two cousins who I hadn’t seen for a while. We spent the day just doing the most random things and playing outside, but I think we were non-stop laughing for about 5 hours.
Definitely a case of discovering ‘beauty’ close to home
Cheers,
Glen
Glen Allsopp´s last blog ..Why Last Month Was The Most Productive Of My Life
Hey, Glen! Yeah… I think the whole “being a guy in your 20’s thing” probably has something to do with you not being much of a strolling through the gardens type.
Still, I like how you translated the beauty close to home to apply to your own simple and enjoyable times. I think it’s awesome that you spent the afternoon laughing. What could be better?!
Thanks for stopping by this morning… nice way to start my day (and week).
This is a lovely post and it’s really inspired me to look for adventures in my own life! Thank you! I love the Fi-Lo-Li concept. So great! One of the best ways for me to find adventures and beauty close to home is via my dog. She’s always noticing things that I wouldn’t and always causing me to look closer at the little things.
Positively Present´s last blog ..combat loneliness with e.a.s.e.
I fully endorse the meaning of Fi-Lo-Li and try to incorporate all those points into my life. Life is too short to waste on stupid crap that seems to plague so many of us. Each day is a new adventure and each day is a holiday if we choose to see it as such.
Thank you, Lori, for sharing Fi-Lo-Li with all of us. And thank you, Lisis, for letting her to do so. You both rock!
Hope all is awesome and keep on smiling!
Nadia – Happy Lotus´s last blog ..How Being Conscious Can Change the World: Conscious Capitalism Update
Hi, Ladies! I know Lori will reply to comments in a while, when her time zone starts stirring, but I wanted to thank you for stopping by and commenting.
I remember when she first sent me that email and explained the FiLoLi concept to me, I thought it was the greatest thing I’d heard in a while. I’m so excited she agreed to share it here.
That girl is really something, I tell ‘ya!
Filoli, that sounds like such a beautiful place and I love the filling my cup thing. We should all take ourselves to a date often, who knows better what we`d enjoy than us? Awesome way to find adventures for me
Rosa´s last blog ..Yo me río! – I laugh!
Hi Lisis! Thanks for making my, “take myself for a date,” story a part of your blog story. You are such a giving, wonderful woman. I feel like you’ve given me part of your heart on loan while I am healing. I promise, I’ll give it back when my cup is full again! xoxox
Glen: I know what you mean about not being a ‘gardens’ type of person. I’m like that way a lot, but like I said, I try to keep my mind open to new things and this was new and filled with beauty. Playing with cousins sounds fun! Good for you!
Positvely Present: Yeah, I know, the Filoli concept is really cool. The facility should make that more prominent. I found the meaning of the name digging in the history of the site and was struck by the significance of the name! Also, cool you have a dog. I can’t wait t get one someday; I grew up with dogs, but haven’t had one since I was a kid.
Nadia: Thanks for stopping by Lisis’ site today! She is sooo cool. You are so right on, life is too short to waste it on stupid crap. Where’s your next date day?
Rosa: If you’re ever in the San Francisco area, drop me a line. I’d love to take you to Filoli. Being there will definitely fill your cup and delight your senses. And you said it: who knows better than us what we’d enjoy on a date! For me, the difficulty is allowing myself the time to do this for for only me, it seems selfish. But I’m always better for it. Go for it, Rosa!
So Lori … when can we expect the launch of your own blog?
As I was reading this a storm brewed outside and I thought a great thing to treat myself would be to strip down and go and stand outside in the torrential rain. Not sure the neighbours would approve though!
Ian | Quantum Learning´s last blog ..What to do with naughty kids
Hi Ian: My own blog? I’m having too much fun reading everyone else’s blog, why would I want to go and ruin a good thing?
Thanks for asking, though–don’t tempt me…
That’s so funny, what you said about stripping down to stand in the rain. I think your neighbors would be more apt to be jealous then pass judgement on you! I say: Go For It! That’s an awesome way to enjoy nature and your surroundings, as long as you don’t get too chilly (hypothermia).
I second the motion that you should have your own blog. You’re a wonderful storyteller. The blogosphere needs more of those!
Jay Schryer´s last blog ..The Road’s Still Long
Lori, some day I will visit you in the Bay Area, and we’ll spend an afternoon at FiLoLi. It looks lovely! I used to live up there, but I never even knew this place existed! Thanks for sharing your adventures with our readers.
Alison | Quest for Balance´s last blog ..Adventure: Finding Beauty Close to Home
Hi Jay: The funny thing, is that I love telling stories.
My father told such great stories; your words really make me feel good and I suspect he’d be happy to hear (i.e., see) them, too.
I appreciate your kindness. I enjoy following your blog and take it as a huge compliment that you like my stories. Thank you, Jay! I’m getting the feeling that maybe it is time to start cooking something up. Hmmmm…
Hi Alison: Oh, oh, oh, please come visit! SF has had a very nice summer thus far and the gardens at Filoli are in full bloom. You are always welcome here!
Thanks for allowing me to stop by your blog; I feel like I’m playing on someone else’s cool playground. Your blog and readers ROCK!
“We have access to adventure in the form of the smallest of retreats” – God gives everyone their time and share to enjoy. Be the rich or the poor, we deserve those!
Nice one to start my day
Hi Krishna: I like your comment! I absolutely agree. Your point also addresses why I tend to make my retreats outdoor or at least low cost. Money is not required to live a happy life.
I wish you many happy days!
Hey Lori… and Lisis!!
really liked the way you wrote this. so impassioned and intense. felt like i was warped to the FiLoLi Gardens. standing there; smelling the dense scent of nature. rolling down the grass, doing handstands :p
i’m with glen on the name – awwwwsomeness.
but i like gardens. we have a really beautiful nature reserve called “Kirstenbosch Gardens” here in luscious Cape Town. It’s open to everyone in the public. really cool place for a date
also, on sundays there are big concerts where everyone takes picnics and eases out of the weekend. great to be reminded of it, don’t go much now ‘cos it’s winter. but a zoom back into memories is as good 
inspiring post! great way to start the day.
keep well, both of ya
alex – unleash reality
Hi Alex: Super great to see you here! I was really happy that Lisis let me play here for a day.
Thanks again, Lisis!
You know, the interesting thing about Filoli, similar to what you mentioned about Kirstenbosch Gardens, is that it was alive with families, couples (smooch!), and free-flowing ease.
Its just *something* about the outdoors, all the dense green, a sunny day, and lots of chillaxin’! Mmmmm good.
Glad you could feel that you were there in spirit. I hope the remainder of your week is full of luscious experiences.
[...] I try to do this about once a week, as some of you may know from my guest post at Quest for Balance, to fill my cup. [...]
[...] I try to do this about once a week, as some of you may know from my guest post at Quest for Balance, to fill my cup. [...]