12/6/15: Today was a good day…
I dropped Levi off at work and set off on an adventure of my own. My first stop was 2nd Ave in Belltown. I had been searching for the “Greetings from Seattle” mural and I was finally able to see it with my own eyes! It was blocked by some fencing, but I was still able to get some dope shots:
Parking is free most places on Sunday, so I just hopped back in the car and set my sights towards the next destination. Next was Martin Luther King Jr. He’s on the corner of Cherry and MLK Street. You’ll find him, to what seemed to me, in deep thought. The thought he is thinking is posted up next to him for all to read:
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
I was moved by the words and tribute to the man that spoke them into existence. It was starting to rain, but I couldn’t let myself walk away. I closed my eyes for a few moments and let my other senses take over. I heard cars passing and puddles splashing. The delicious smell of waffles was in the air. Laughter and conversation poured from Fat’s Chicken and Waffles. I reveled in the moment. I decided to walk around before heading to my next destination. I am glad that I did. I found another beautiful wall mural. I know it wasn’t, but I felt like it was painted just for me. 
Though there were no words to go along with this king of the animal kingdom; strength, wisdom and kindness exuded from the piece. My two favorite colors, blue and orange, were blended and splattered down the brick. I said, “wow.” I had no one to say it to, but I needed the word to escape my lips. I left that neighborhood satisfied and thinking that those moments would be the best part of my day.
Disclaimer: I was wrong.
I made my way to the Seattle Center. I arrived there just a bit before 11am. There were few people walking around which I chalk up to Seattleites taking their Seahawk games very seriously. I was able to explore freely which always makes for the best pictures in my opinion!
I decided to hang around awhile longer and just take in all of the sights and sounds around me. There was a mariachi band of sorts playing and selling random novelties and home made goods. Across the way from where I was sitting there was a family. A husband, a wife and two little blonde haired girls. The parents looked so discouraged. They tugged at my heart strings before I even knew their story. I ended up having a conversation with the father. They were going through a rough time and brought their daughters there to have some play time on weekends. As we spoke, I let my mind race back to the two kings that I had visited earlier in the day.. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
I gave him what cash I could, cried tears with him and wished them all a Merry Christmas. Those moments of conversation and emotion were the best part of my day.
Why are these moments not an every day occurrences for every human? Maybe they are. Maybe we choose not to notice? We don’t take enough time to engage in the world around us. As I mentioned in my previous post, The Art of Letting Go, I am on a journey. I am trying to be intentional each day about finding things that keep me grateful. It is not an easy task. On the days when it is most difficult I usually realize that it is because I am not allowing myself to see past myself. Today I chose to experience life from a different perspectice and love people while doing so. It was a really terrific day. Positivity surrounded me today and I will use this day as a reminder on days when negativity creeps in. Love one another and as always…
Stay grateful,
-KP
***all photos taken by KPfeelfotos (Korie Pickett) unless otherwise noted.
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