Blending with Energy

I spent a week in Key West, Florida recently to attend a Writer's Workshop.

It was my first time staying in Key West and I was totally in love with the calm, unhurried, laid-back energy where everything goes.

Good Morning!

Roosters run wild, pecking away  in yards, in parking lots. This smart one chose to be at the beach!

Egrets fishing in the early morning.

Even the pet dog gets to ride in a boat.

Yup, everything goes in Key West. 

I had a great time!  Learned a lot at the Conference, made some new friends and travelled everywhere on a bicycle. 

Oh the feeling of freedom! Jumping on the bike, peddling to the conference, to the beach, to the shops, greeting perfect strangers along the way, stopping to pick up a sandwich or bottle of water, weaving around random roosters pecking in the dirt - it was a nice relaxing way to get around, where no one is ever late for anything (well actually people showed up early for the conference part, which was just as well - you can get toooo laid-back).

One evening we were treated to a sunset sail. Drinks flow in Key West and as we boarded the boat I was handed a glass of wine. 

"Um, may I have water, please?" 

I'm not a drinker so the free-flowing booze was lost on me. But the good thing is that people here in Key West, whether on an excursion or in a restaurant are just - happy, not drunks (or at least I didn't run into any).  

The ocean felt a little too tranquil on the way out and I wondered if we'd ever arrive at our destination.  The crew were not concerned in the least and I should have remembered that all would be well, no worries, that everything goes in Key West.  

Breeze picked up on the way back and the rest of the evening was absolutely delightful, with the most glorious sunset!

I chuckled at some of the signs at The Eden House (my hotel) and thought I'd share with you. Doubt if these would be "allowed" back home where I live - too bad. :-(

Don't think anyone will leave their children unattended, do you?

Changing The Energy

The doctor was late. A good 40 minutes according to my cell phone. Annoyed, I rattled my magazine (as if that would hurry things up).
Christmas was just days away and I had some serious shopping to do.

A man sitting next to me in this crowded waiting room seemed to be sleeping. His head lolled over to my side and I edged away from him as if he was contagious. 
With a snort he woke up, reached in his pocket for a hanky and loudly blew his nose. I held my breath (to avoid breathing in his germs) and squeezed myself as far away from him as I could go. 

A nurse entered the room, chart in hand, called a name; a woman stood up and followed her out. Then a different nurse called someone else. Yippee!  This claustrophobic room was emptying.
Now I could move away from Sneezy into a seat someone had just vacated.

A few more minutes passed.  People shifted about, sipping their coffee, turning pages, or getting up to use the washroom. No one spoke. Two others were called away and now there were just 3 of us. Sneezy (who'd fallen back to sleep), and a woman sitting across from me, her head buried in her cell phone.

Impatiently I checked the time again. It was almost an hour now! Then a thought popped into my head. I wonder if we were all waiting for the same doctor?

Well, if that's the case, then I'm going home!  I don't feel like sitting around all day! Besides I was getting a little nervous about the whole procedure. This appointment was for cosmetic skin care -  not medical and I didn't have to be here. 
What if the doctor made a mistake on my face? Maybe I should just go home. 

What should I do? Get up and walk away? Or just ask? 

Should I ask the lady which doctor she's waiting for?

No, that would be rude and nosy. Besides, she might ignore me. Or tell me to mind my own business.
What about Sneezy/Sleepy? 
Forget it.

I shifted about in my chair, got up to refill my water glass, gazed at the door willing a nurse to materialize and call someone in. 
Nothing happened. 
Then I made up my mind. Really, what did I have to lose?

"Excuse me, are you waiting for Dr. K?
She looked up from her iPhone and answered. 

"Oh yes, and she's always late! But worth it. I've been seeing her for years.  She's so compassionate and does a good job. She knows what she's doing and takes good care of you."
"Oh!" I felt better immediately. "Thank you for telling me that."

Just then Sneezy/Sleepy woke up. 
"I'm just waiting for my wife," he said in response to my questioning look.

Whew!  Well then, I guess it's not so bad, I could wait a bit longer. 
Ms. Cell phone and I began to chat - then something strange happened.  I felt good, I felt fine, I was not grouchy or impatient. 
We laughed.  Even Sneezy/Sleepy joined in.

Ms. Cell phone was called in for her appointment.
SS and I continued our conversation. Turns out he lives not far from my son.  And his children are attending university close by. My goodness we had something to chat about!  Then all of a sudden Ms. Cell phone was waving goodby as she passed the waiting room to head out. 
It was my turn!
But I was having fun - I wanted to stay and chat. 


Wow - who would have thought? Just the simple act of  reaching out and talking to someone had the power to change the whole situation. 
Changed the energy in that room.  A lesson? You could say that.