Slowly
Walking out of the darkness, shrouded in a specific heaviness
I see rays of light so bright in their intensity
Heat sears my face and a fullness grows in my heart
One foot in front of the other, slowly
My back guards against all misdeeds
Eyes gazing towards absolution
Comfort in the mystery, seeded in the unknown
One foot in front of the other, slowly
With each passing day I make some progress
Inching closer to everything
Leaving behind nothing but my shadow
One foot in front of the other, slowly
I begin to shed layer upon layer
Seeking a blissful lightness
Butterfly wings emerging from a cocoon
One foot in front of the other, slowly
Sadness, sickness, loneliness and fear
Celebration, joy, tenderness and togetherness.
Every emotion under my skin makes an appearance
One foot in front of the other, slowly
Days change, seasons change, people in my life change
I continue to walk forward, bit by bit
Deliberately, thoughtfully, towards only myself
One foot in front of the other, slowly
At first I resist, frightened and scared
Now I press forward for me, no one else
Willingly, excited with possibilities
One foot in front of the other, slowly
Time passes, my heart beats with anticipation
Living each adventure as it comes and goes
Slowly, I surrender to the path and allow hope to sing
Peacefully, I take yet another step and take flight.
-Lavinia Busch
Why is it that the answers I seek always seem elusive? In practice, the old adage one step forward, two steps back leaves me disillusioned and lost. To this end, I had a deeply emotional experience while walking a few days ago. Writing poetic verse in my head with each step, I simply could not stop the words and emotions from pouring out. After having written a full piece and walking over five miles, I cried. Not bitter tears of sadness but tears of a profound letting go.
Having an experience such as this, I often question what in my personal life may be out of sorts. Troubles I have pushed down into the depths of my psyche, afraid of what a closer analysis might reveal. I am also aware that it takes a combination of events to ruffle my feathers rather than just one. I may have personal things on my mind, professional matters that are pressing and family dynamics that are stressful. It is never just as simple as one thing; I am far too complex for that.
Walking and writing, I was reminded that life is not a sprint but a marathon. Anything that is troubling me will find its way to resolution. Whether a resolution of my liking or not, it will come nonetheless. I need not always have the answers. On this particular day, walking up one of my favorite hills, I once again made the decision to let go and resigned myself to living in and accepting the unknown. My tears were tears of relief, fear and anticipation welcoming the space between conflict and resolution, doubt and understanding, an uncomfortable place to be sure. In my case, discomfort is always a precursor to growth. Like it or not this has always proven to be true.
“It has taken me quite a few years to realize the fact that most of the thoughts in my head are not necessary.”
― Bert McCoy
I inherently know that my life will end. Upon the moment of my death, I may find myself still befuddled and bewildered, caught in that space between. With this knowledge, I alone am left with the choice to step off the treadmill of indecision and soar. The process of enlightenment can be laboriously slow. Each life event comes with a specific lesson and opportunity for growth. Some of these lessons arrive quietly without much notice while others are abrupt and painful in the unfolding. The only guarantee is that the lessons will continue to present, even when I have had enough and think I cannot bear another.
That day on the hill, I found a momentary sense of calm and serenity. Even though life is forever proving the security I crave to be elusive, I am okay. I know I will persist, carry on and live my life to the best of my ability. Everything around me may continue to swirl and flex but I can stand in the middle of this vortex and free myself from the outcome. I can create a steady and secure environment regardless of what outside forces move against me and become stronger for having done so. With this momentary enlightenment, taking a deep and soulful breath, I smiled. Feeling the wind on my face, the sun shining down, I allowed my mind to be still. I reveled in this stillness, a peaceful surrender to all that is unknown and may remain so. Continuing to live in the mystery is one of my greatest challenges and at the same time a beautiful gift.
