Moving Gently Through My World
As I walked along the beach this morning I was surprised and excited to see the little blue-headed crane walking ahead of me. This is a rare sighting. Usually I need to be much earlier since the crane is people-shy and when activity starts on the beach, it is nowhere to be seen. I immediately stopped walking so as not to frighten it, opened the camera on my phone, and waited hopefully for it to stop so I could capture it in repose. It stopped, and looked out at the ocean. I clicked the camera, then walked gently toward it so I could get a clearer photo. It suddenly turned, gazed in the opposite direction and then moved forward again. I gently moved behind it. When it stopped I focused the camera for a new shot and as I did, I realized I had another and bigger crane, also in view, standing motionless. If I had not been moving gently as I followed, I would never have been treated to that sight of the bigger crane.
My thoughts then went to how there has been so much hype in the media about setting goals and making resolutions for the New Year. I have found it annoying and not the mental environment in which I wish to find myself. Just yesterday I received a new blog posted by an internet friend and colleague, a woman who writes about her mid-life, inspires her many readers to reflect on their life happenings, and to use those reflections to move forward to a better place mentally and often physically. In this blog she shares how and why she chooses a Word that will guide her as she focuses on new year activities and perspective. She asked us,” What is your guide Word for this new year and why?
I realized that my answer was the same Word I had chosen the year before. It is “Gently”. It has served me well and will continue to do so for 2023. I have this Apache Blessing, framed, and at eye level view on my writing desk. Here it is.
“May the sun bring you new energy by day.
May the moon softly restore you by night.
May the rain wash away your worries.
May the breeze blow new strength into your being.
May you walk gently through the world
and know its beauty, all the days of your life.”
Please share and comment. Would love to hear your thoughts.
Judith, you have given me so many positive vibes and encouragement to keep doing what I am doing to get better even though it hurts. It has been my fault for being so lazy. I just have this new feeling of energy to keep at it as I know long term it will help me. You have always been a doer (?spelling) and as I sit here drinking a cup of coffee I see what it has brought you. You are a very positive lady and everything that you have in your life is so deserving. Maybe I need to be a little more like you. I loved what you wrote and saw. God bless you my friend. I really do miss you.
Dear Andrea So glad you took the time to read and comment. I always value your friendship and wish you less hurt and the better health you deserve.
Beautiful Apache Blessing! Gently is a nice way to move through this world, and also Be-ing instead of Do-ing!I lost the love of my life in December and at times Be=ing is all I can manage to do. The pain is so great and overwhelming. Thank you for your lovely post!
Thank you, Yvonne. Be gentle with yourself. “Be-ing” is all you can do right now. I hope we can keep in touch.
Hi Judi – I think “gently” is the perfect word for those of us who don’t want to live at the frenetic pace that a lot of the world now considers to be normal. Coincidentally I’ve just written a post for February on what living gently means to me (we must be on the same wavelength!)
I’m just so tired of the noise and clamour, and I am drawn more and more to a peaceful, gentle, and kind way of life – it might not suit others, but it definitely suits me. I’m even getting brave enough to walk away from my battles rather than trying to convince others to change. Lovely post 🙂
Hi Leanne Yes, I think we are on the same wavelength. Part of my challenge is also to let go of expectations and just as you mentioned, choose to walk away from the battles.
Judith I like the word gently for your 2023 year and I may have to borrow it. I sit here exhausted after a whole day of group/bus shopping yesterday in Santiago and then trying to catch up on all the work I missed. Wish this could be a lazy day for me but there are dogs to walk and work to finish this afternoon so on I go but this weekend I plan to make it a gentle Saturday of rest and restoring. Have a great day!
Hi Melinda. So glad you are giving yourself the gift of a “gentle” Saturday. I know how busy you are with the caring activities in this community. Enjoy
Such a great article. So glad you saw the crane. I love your word for 2023 – we live in such as manic world and sometimes it can get the best of us, so “gently” is an insightful approach. And it applies, not only the world around us, but to ourselves as well. We need to remember to be gentle and kind to ourselves. All the best, Lou💚
Hi Lou Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. You are so right about the need to be gentle with ourselves. It is the first line of protection that then helps us be gentle to others.
Judith, seeing your blue-headed crane baby and its attentive parent, and reading your calm, comforting words, really cheered me up.
I’ve decided my guide phrase will be, “Take strength from the RAW MAJESTY!”, as I look out at the thigh-deep, untouched snow that has blown in over the past few days. “RAW” because it’s going down to a wind chill of minus 43 degrees celsius here tonight. And “MAJESTY” because we have been treated to sightings of our recently arrived red fox family trotting by in said deep snow! Then the moon, stars, forests (and talking to you!) will take over as the source of joy and inspiration I’ll need to make it “gently” down my next path.
Sorry to be late in answering but it arrived late for a reason known only by my computer. Love the words RAW MAJESTY and it made me shiver s you described the weather. How very talented you are in describing the image of the fox family, and your positive search for joy and inspiration. Let’s glide “gently” together down a next path.