Can You Be Still?

Friday, November 5, 2010

“Be still my child, do not move.” In the stillness of the moment she heard the warning but heeded not the words. With the flip of a hand, as if to say, “Oh bother,” she ventured on. One-step, two-step, forward was her progress. Yet, in the back of her mind the words did echo, “What do you mean be still, I’m on a journey?”

As she turned she could see the mountains from whence she came and recalled the laborious trek to where she now stood. A glorious trek full of visual titillations and simple relics, carried now in the small pack upon her back. There had been no need for grandeur or amassing more than she what she need, just a simple memorable journey. “Be still my child, do not move,” again came the warning.



Her eyes shifted and off the path they did wandered searching for where this warning it had come. “Does the wind whisper warnings?” she asked realizing it now too late. The moment her eyes shifted was the moment she missed a step.

The one-step, two-step was now a tangled, never ending roll. Faster and farther she tumbled heading straight for the murky shades of unconsciousness. She did not make it, abruptly the tumbling stopped and she found herself spread eagle on the ground.

Head full of mush, body unscathed she stood. “Whew, what a tumble,” and took one forward step. Before another thought crossed her muddled mind the second foot followed. “Oh this is not right,” and the words in the warning came screaming back to her, “Be still my child, do not move.”

The warning now made sense, one-step, two-step, merely took her down. Her mind was that of cold grits as she pondered the tumbling of the fall. “Do I, Won’t it, Can I, Help…” was all that she could think. She knew the sting of isolation, the pain of misplaced steps and for her valiant effort, further down did she sink.

”Be still my child, do not move,” came the warning from who knows where. She was up to her neck in muck and felt an anger grow inside. Her eyes they swelled with tears, her body began to shake, with all her might she freed her arms and bellowed out a roar, “What do you mean, I am being still?”

The roar it did echo, and began to slowly fade as it wandered on the air. Then just as silence was upon her came laughter. The forest that surrounded her was snickering; it was there among the trees. “Why are you laughing, can you not see I need help?” she asked.

Then came the silence. No snickering, no warnings, just the beating of her heart. Still she had become. With silence and stillness, solidity was what she had found.

Sometimes it is about being still and just keeping our heads above the muck. Heed the warnings you are given, slowly let your toes find solid ground and then just when know one is looking….

Jump back on the porch and run with the big dogs.

Peace, big dogs….


16 comments:

Anonymoussaid, 

excellent points!

November 5, 2010 at 9:35 AM  
floweringmama said, 

"Sometimes it is about being still and just keeping our heads above the muck. Heed the warnings you are given, slowly let your toes find solid ground and then just when know one is looking"

Great points, well said!

November 5, 2010 at 9:53 AM  
Summer Ross said, 

Good suspense in this story.
You always have some important theme to tag in with the story. have a great day Jules!

November 5, 2010 at 11:02 AM  
Alex J. Cavanaugh said, 

Excellent words of wisdom, Jules!

November 5, 2010 at 12:01 PM  
N. R. Williams said, 

Once again,,,you give your post a wonderful story as your message. If anyone is interested, I posted on contest and giveaways today, including my first ever contest.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author

November 5, 2010 at 1:08 PM  
oldgreymare said, 

It took me nearly 50 years to learn this elusive lesson.

...almost as long as it took for me to learn to just breathe.

xxx
z

November 5, 2010 at 1:19 PM  
T. Powell Coltrin said, 

Wisdom that I need to follow before I'm sinking in the muck.

T

November 5, 2010 at 1:34 PM  
RHYTHM AND RHYME said, 

The moral as I see it is to keep calm, Keep still and keep your head.

Excellently written Jules.
Have a great week-end
Yvonne.

November 5, 2010 at 2:44 PM  
Karen Lange said, 

Being still is difficult, but well worth it in some instances.
Happy Friday!
Karen :)

November 5, 2010 at 4:15 PM  
Tammy said, 

Nice reminder, thanks!

November 5, 2010 at 11:34 PM  
Unknown said, 

As someone who all too often is unable to just be still, I feel for the muck-sitter.

November 6, 2010 at 1:13 AM  
Gail said, 

You tell life's truths so well.

November 6, 2010 at 7:35 AM  
The Words Crafter said, 

Ugh! Being still is hard! But great point. Thanks!

November 6, 2010 at 10:59 AM  
Paula said, 

Being still is still hard to create. The words just seem to flow from your wise soul

November 6, 2010 at 1:58 PM  
Anonymoussaid, 

This is something I've somewhat mastered over the years. I must have had ADD as a kid because my mind was everywhere. It feels great to slow down and be still, even if its only for a few monutes.

November 7, 2010 at 10:41 AM  
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