Some days life seems to hum along nicely. Everything in its proper order. Children and husband happy. Easy going laughter and smiles filling the summer air with jovial togetherness. Just how I like it. Contented sighs escaping my Mona Lisa lips in a self-satisfied and ever so smug impersonation of the famous painting.
Suddenly, for no apparent reason, the mood shifts. Usually one of two culprits are the catalysts but the tides change swiftly none the less. It has been my lesson in this life to learn to detach from situations in which I have no control. It is a difficult lesson for a mother who craves peace and harmony within her home and amongst her family. Conflict of any kind feels like a "screw" searing through my solar plexus, bringing turmoil and wrecking havoc in my body physically, as well as mentally and emotionally. I am getting better at surfing life's waves, taking them in my stride instead of plummeting to the depths of despair. But it will continue to be a lesson that requires my constant vigilance and consistent practice.
The nature of life is movement and change. Chaos crashes in where peace reigned supreme just moments before. This is nothing new. It has been this way since the beginning of time. If we did not know chaos, how could we treasure peace? Moving effortlessly between these two paradigms may or may not be part of my journey. Coming back to balance and letting go of the resistance to "what is" happening at any given moment is always a choice I can make for myself. And by making this choice for myself and myself only, I am doing what I can to shift the energy for my entire family and all of our ancestors and descendants in all directions of time. What could be more powerful than that?
I know what you mean about conflict - it disturbs the shores for sure. But you're right, there's perhaps nothing more powerful than inner resistance.
~Donna
Posted by: Donna Quesada | June 25, 2009 at 08:15 AM
Glad to have you back posting. Once again, these are words I can use because I (as well as many folks, I'm sure) relate to them. The description of the screw is vivid and apt, unfortunately. But I'll try to remember to ride above the things I can't control. Wisdom is hard to come by and lessons usually hard to learn by example instead of painful practice, but I will try to learn this one and spare myself some pain.
thanks
Posted by: k a b l o o e y | June 25, 2009 at 08:19 AM
"And by making this choice for myself and myself only, I am doing what I can to shift the energy for my entire family and all of our ancestors and descendants in all directions of time. What could be more powerful than that?"
All I can say is Wow. Thank you for reminding me of this important and profound lesson.
Posted by: Mayberry Magpie | June 27, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Conflict is like a screw - how very vivid and true.
I'm always amazed at how my physical body reacts to conflict. I too am learning to "let go" and not plummet and try to 'fix it'.
Your posts are always so insightful.
Thanks.
Posted by: tami | June 30, 2009 at 07:14 AM
I know... how sometimes the air can be filled with unrest or bad energy and you can't tell why... what I love is that power that you have to change things just with your own peace and center. I never thought of that... Roxanne
Posted by: rivergardenstudio | June 30, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Oh my goodness, that sculpture is amazing, it really gives visual emphasis to what you're saying. Even when you write about the "down" side of relationships, you still have a balance. Other than being there, that screw hasn't changed her attitude at all.
Posted by: shirley ende-saxe | July 04, 2009 at 08:50 AM