Sit, Stare, Dance

The Starting Line:

Challenges are a part of life. I’ve mostly learned to embrace them like it’s a new opportunity. I usually move towards each challenge like a snail, then sit and stare at the possibilities and choose the strangest paths to another finish line. The about-face is pretty epic too.

Sometimes I feel forced to learn, solving some imaginary puzzle in my mind. Like this last weekend, friends and I spent a good 4+ hours trying to put together a tent from the 1970’s. It was both absolutely nuts and quite a story.

Reflecting on that camping experience, there were so many reminders of how to handle the frustration as it arises. I sat and stared at that darn tent until I finally sat on a camping chair facing away from it, pouting a bit like a kid standing in a corner.

I confess too that my health has become quite a puzzle too. Like many adult learners, forcing me into a new medication only serves to make me want to crawl in a trench with fear. Anger arises and ROAR like a lion, that I do. I’m a Leo after all.

I even drag my feet towards the starting line that is my daily walk. I try moving forward, but then pivot and fast-walk in zig-zag waves over the sidewalk. I even dance the curb line like it’s a tightrope. Helps with balance! Try it? My psychiatrist and therapist approve (I’ve asked).

As a side note. I’d recommend dancing the song I Wasn’t Looking For You by Messages from the heart. Remember too, you are the person you are looking for.

Finding myself again, I high-five the petals of trees. Reach down and move a hand across tall weeds. There is something incredibly purposeful about touching nature. Perhaps all of the above may appear to some as a little insane. Thankfully, there are no comparisons required.

This week, I sat with a friend and cleared the air about the lengthy text exchanges. Ugh.. Note to self – less is more. Quitting the back/forth and putting down the phone was a wise choice. Too, speaking by phone or ideally, in person works best. It’s quite a bit easier on the mind’s perceptions.

Given all of the above, I’ll end these paragraphs (because who wants to read so many paragraphs anyway..?) Actually journaling is on the list. Still, I thought I’d keep this art-momentum of writing to you. Whomever you are.

Feel free to write back using the Comments section here? Most people don’t, but hey.. A few peeps keep reading Birdanity like it’s a religion. It’s obviously not.. But if I had one? The following would be a favorite verse:

~~~~~~~~|||~~~~~~~~

“therefore the master acts

without doing anything

and teaches without

saying anything.

things arise

and she lets

them come.

things disappear

and she lets them go.

she has but doesn’t possess,

acts but doesn’t expect.

when her work is done,

she forgets it.

that is why

it lasts

forever.”

~ Lao Tzu