Calm offers its lips gently against the flurry of commitments and the demands of time. Calm kisses the discontent of our souls and whispers, “Shh… breathe.” “Take a breath, my dear. Slow down. Breathe.”
The slow exhalation and the quietening of my soul clarifies the dawning, “I’m not in this life alone.” Ahh, the drop of the shoulders and a moment of respite to a frantic mind and a frazzled spirit.
Reluctantly, I concede the frazzle does not produce sizzle, it leads to unravel. Unraveling a life intended for meaning, but instead diluted with movement. And, at what cost and with what benefit? The cost of missing a meaningful contribution for the cheap benefit of spinning wheels. What should bring more connection, brought little more than a full calendar and a hive of activity.
Life can become like my handbag – jammed with incomplete to do lists, receipts from unnecessary purchases and supplies of various items “just in case”. This jam-packed approach leaves the important items waiting to be tended to, whilst the urgent stole my attention. The tiredness in my soul showing I’ve spent myself in unnecessary places, a bit like those receipts. And how much have I stuffed into my schedule under the “just in case” category? Maybe I should go there/do that just in case there is a valuable network opportunity?
Yet, for a moment, calm beckons and all the tasks and the responsibilities can wait. No wet bath towels that need picking up, or recycling that needs taking out, no messages that need responding to. Calm speaks softly, in a quiet voice, inviting the soul to an unhurried time and an uncluttered space.
“Come rest, my dear. Come and breathe. Remove yourself from all the noise of unimportant tasks, come and be. Come and rest in the presence of nature.”
Calm offers restoration, refreshment and refocusing on the important, not the calamity or the clamoring. Calm breathes self-assurance and a confidence of peace. It places boundaries on the circling restlessness around and within that it cannot have your heart, your mind or your soul for this moment. This moment is precious as you decide to take hold of your thoughts and quieten yourself.
And into this moment of calm I am remined of an old song,
“Put your hand in the hand of the man that stilled the waters,
Put your hand in the hand of the man who calmed the sea …”
A beautiful piece, Jo. I love your handbag analogy. A very helpful image to see the way our lives get so crowded at times.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. ?