Joy - Cloud Gazing!

My joy love affair with clouds started the summer of 2020. I wandered into the Museo Madre in Naples, straight into a Cloud inspired photography exhibition by Carlo Verdone.

As I wandered around glancing at each photo I felt something – a feeling of stillness but also of awe.

Then as I entered the real world through the museum exit I glanced up and smiled as the clouds floated on by. Right up there above us, in full sight but also hidden. Only available to bring joy into our lives if we choose to notice them.

How many of us actually notice clouds in our day to day life?

From that day on I have always noticed them – yes, clouds.

Sometimes intentionally when I need to be brought back into the present moment.

A simple choice to glance up and look around at the sky. To look at the clouds. On one of my runs, bike rides or walks. Or the moments when I glance out the window at home or as I sit perched at the window on public transport. They are usually always up there in some form – unless we are enjoying a blue sky day. A rarity in Scotland.

Or my favourite cloud gazing experience - when I claim the window seat on a plane where your eyes and mind are taken on a journey watching as the clouds float on by. The experience when the plane floats through the clouds and you are presented with the most stunning scene - the bluest of skies. The clouds now float below the plane like a big fluffy trampoline. Floating freely with no assistance – no two clouds the same. A bit like us humans.

Clouds force you out your head into the present moment, they make you feel something hard to explain. Literally a floaty feeling – you feel light headed. They are beautiful. All different shapes, sizes, colour and texture. Some seem static, others floating past. Even when the sky is filled with clouds the sun still shines beyond them. So, if you compare your thoughts as clouds, then even on the stormiest and darkest day you know by clearing your mind of thoughts then the sun will shine.

I love that thought.

Clouds are part of societies make up, our dialogue.

Do you recognise the phrase – “walking on cloud 9?

Where did the phrase come from?

In 1896 the greatest cloud in the world, Cumulonimbus, was listed as Cloud 9 in a new cloud classification, and so to be on cloud nine became like floating on the tallest cloud on Earth.

Cloud 9 described as a feeling of extreme happiness or euphoria, feeling like you're floating on air, also described as giddy lightness -  now that sounds like joy.

How can you bring more joyful cloud gazing into your life?

Make it a practice - as and when you need it or on a daily basis. Be mindful and enjoy a secret joyful activity available to us all but not always in use. I give you permission to gaze up and smile.

When can you enjoy this dreamy act?

1.       Anytime outside - intentionally glance up - or spot them through a window, in your home or when using transport.

2.       When lying down on the grass in the park or on a sun lounger. Glance up and mindfully observe the clouds. Feel the calmness as they float on past.

3.       Look back over old photos – now really look at those landscape photos. How are the clouds? How does it make you feel?

4.       Claim the window sit and prepare to be taken on a journey of pure giddiness on your night flight.

Clouds are the skies imagination.