Listen for the Stillness

 

 

 

"The longer I wake on this earth,

the louder the quiet things speak to me.

The more I experience and survive,

the more I find truth in the commonalities we all share.

The more pain softens me,

the deeper my joy,

and the greater the lessons of those things

that live in great stillness."

 

Mark Nepo

THE BOOK OF AWAKENING

 

 

A Christmas tree decorated with small white lights can be mesmerizing.  The miniature lights in the midst of the dark green tree are like small glowing candles.  Starting the fireplace, grabbing a quilt and a journal, a person can escape for hours once settled upon the couch.

 

The frenzy of Christmas encourages me to withdraw instead of increase my momentum.  I want to gently fall back and just enjoy the simple things rather than  the noisy rush.  The larger gatherings of people only make me wish to be in the silence and presence of the Christmas tree of my home.

 

It is said that as we grow older, we appreciate the smaller things, the more simple things, and the stillness more.  I find this to be true, but it constantly reflects the solitude and appreciation I felt as a child.  This quietness speaks to me, comforts me, and reflects upon a time I once knew loneliness far too well. 

 

One becomes a brave little soldier sensing that the world will be faced alone.  During those years of battle, all is broken by the pain.  Healing back into a full life, there is a stronger connection with all that is and the need to embrace everything as it appears ... fear, pain, loneliness, joy, gratitude.  It is realized that it is not in bravery, but in embracing the world.  By welcoming life to pass through us, clinging not to the pain nor the joy, life continues on. 

 

In the stillness of the moment, sitting before the lighted green tree, life is calm and peaceful.  I breathe it in deeply with all of my senses, storing it all in anticipation of winter.  Hibernation is not so very far away.