JJ's Muse

I woke up at 5am this morning. I felt fresh and alert, and thought I could go for a run, so I did.

The idea for a run had crossed my mind last night, but no fixed plan had been made, and as I already was going to have an early start, I didn’t really think a run would be able to factor into my morning.  So I received my early rising as a gift.

‘Living in the Now’ – the title for this post. Last night I found I had saved this as a post title on the 11th May. Obviously I had had some inspiration at the time, but I couldn’t muster any recollection of what that was. – A moment now lost.

As a writer or indeed artist of any creative description, there is a real validity to living in the now. Writing down those thoughts when they come, recording those song lyrics, sketching out that drawing, taking that photo, pitching your idea to that chief exec…

Living in the Now can also be essential in capturing those moments of quality time with a loved one or a friend. I am all for planning. I am also for making the most of phoning a friend as you’ve finished early, are in the neighbourhood or they just ‘ran across your mind’. I’m sure you can all identify a time when you have capitalised on a moment like this, and the enjoyment that has come.

Look out for those moments today!

I discovered the South Bank when I took up running a few years ago. Until then I never really appreciated what it was like, what it had to offer, and in reality, probably where it actually was. If I’m honest, I probably still don’t know officially what is classed as the South Bank, but for me, it is from the London Eye down to the bridge/underpass which takes you to the Tate Modern.

This is such a great walk at whatever time.

I knew about the London Eye, the London Acquarium, County Hall etc, but probably would have seen them as independant entities which occupy the same space.

It has been great to discover the ‘nooks and cranies’ it has has to offer: The skate board/bike space just after the National Theatre, the art displays sometimes outside the National Theatre, the street artists, from dancers to human statues, the little cul-de-sac of shops just before the Oxo Tower, the free art in the gallery along that walkway, the different stalls and festivals that happen – always a pleasant surprise as I hardly ever know beforehand that they are happening! All this is just the tip of the ‘iceberg’. Continue reading