There's something about beautiful moments in sports that alters

In the vast tapestry of life, where time flows relentlessly like a river, there are moments—moments of profound beauty—that alter our very perception of time. Ross Gay, a poet of our age, captures this truth with a reflection that transcends the realms of sports, poetry, and gardening. He says, “There’s something about beautiful moments in sports that alters our experience of time. And I’d say the same thing about poetry and gardening. **Gardening slows me down. I want to stop and observe everything.” These words echo a deep, timeless wisdom, reminding us that the beauty of life is often found not in the frantic rush of existence, but in the quiet moments, those moments when time slows, and we can be fully present.

What Gay speaks of is the power of presence, the gift of truly experiencing life in its fullest, most meaningful form. In a world driven by constant movement, constant noise, we often overlook the small, sacred moments that hold the potential to transform us. Whether it is a perfect pass in a game, a single line of poetry that stirs the soul, or the quiet act of tending to a garden, these are the moments that remind us of the beauty of slowing down, of giving ourselves permission to pause, to observe, and to truly experience the world around us. Gardening, in particular, is a profound practice of patience, where every seed sown becomes a meditation on growth, on life, on the passage of time itself.

In the ancient world, those who sought wisdom often found it in the natural world. The philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus famously said, “You cannot step into the same river twice.” His words remind us that time is ever-flowing, ever-changing, yet in certain moments, we can find a stillness, a quietude that allows us to witness the unfolding of life in a way that feels timeless. It is in these moments of stillness—whether in the rhythm of gardening, the movement of a ball across a field, or the delicate crafting of a line of poetry—that we encounter the eternity of life. These moments, like the river, pass by, but for a fleeting instant, they allow us to stop, to observe, and to reflect.

Consider, too, the ancient practice of bamboo gardening in the Far East, where the gardener would patiently cultivate the bamboo over the course of many years. It was said that the bamboo would appear to grow slowly, almost imperceptibly, until one day it would burst forth in a stunning display of growth. In this way, the gardener learned the value of patience and awareness—how time itself could seem to slow as they witnessed the subtle, yet powerful transformation of the plant. It is the same with the art of life. When we take the time to observe, to breathe deeply, we find that the world reveals its beauty in a way that cannot be hurried, but must be experienced in its own time.

Gay’s reflection speaks to the sacredness of slowing down. He draws a parallel between the beauty of sports, the poetry of words, and the act of gardening, each of which offers us a chance to move through time differently. In sports, it is a perfect moment of grace—a goal, a pass, a shot—that makes the heart swell, that seems to suspend the very nature of time. In poetry, it is the metaphor that makes the world shimmer with new meaning, that captures a moment in a way that feels eternal. In gardening, it is the simple act of planting, of tending, of nurturing, that teaches us to honor the moment and to see beauty in the slow, patient unfolding of life.

Let us also look to Ralph Waldo Emerson, the great American philosopher and poet, who found deep wisdom in nature. Emerson believed that in the act of gardening—in the quiet cultivation of plants—one could not only nourish the body but also nourish the soul. He famously said, “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.” This reflects the power of small moments—the planting of a seed, the nurturing of a small idea—that, when tended to, can grow into something profound and life-changing. Just as poetry and sports capture fleeting moments of brilliance, so too does gardening offer us a space to witness the subtle miracles of life, to appreciate the present, and to allow our minds to wander, to dream, and to reflect.

And so, we must follow Gay’s wisdom and take the time to slow down, to observe, to savor the beauty of the present moment. Whether it is in the garden, in the playing field, or in the pages of a book, we must give ourselves the gift of time—the time to reflect, to appreciate the small miracles, and to honor the rhythm of life. Gardening, like sports and poetry, teaches us that there is beauty in slowness, that time does not always need to rush forward but can be savored, observed, and cherished. So, plant your seeds with care, step onto the field with joy, and let your thoughts roam free in the pages of a poem. In these moments, time itself will slow, and you will find a peace that transcends the rush of the world.