Moments of Calm

Treasure Beach Forum: TB Runnin's: Moments of Calm
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 09:32 pm: Edit Post

I live in Tucson in the middle of the dessert. One of the things I love about my job is that I can walk to it through the 'wash', or open desert that becomes a flood plain for when the monsoons deluge us with rain in the summer months.

Coming home today, thinking about all the things I had to do tonight...update the donations page with new information, add the new information that's come into the site, work on other projects that won't wait, etc...I saw one of Earth's creatures that has recently started hanging out in the area.

A bobcat, about 3 feet tall, with long pointy ears and the elegant grace of all felines, was walking slowly among the scrub, gently placing one paw in front of the other as he sniffed and eyed his surrounding.

The multitude of birds, rabbits, and lizards that share the space with the rest of us scattered, presumably getting out of the way of the predator on four legs as well as the perceived-threat on two.

I'm still getting used to the presence of an animal that, I'm sure, could cut me to ribbons should it ever have the desire, so I found some high ground in the opposite direction and just stood there and watched and listened.

I just stood there and thought about how simple it all seems, and how happy I was to just take 5 minutes and do nothing but enjoy what my senses were telling me.

These thoughts echo those of my co-worker who was laid off last week. After watching the 9/11 remembrances over the weekend, losing her job didn't seem to mean that much. She has her husband next to her and she has all of her considerable skills and will land another job soon.

I have no idea where I'm going with this (lack of sleep will do that to you, I hear) but I wonder if, now that the major danger from the storm has passed, any of the rest of you have had moments like this? Moments of calm and great focus on what's important.

PS: This post gets signed "Eric" because, like those 5 minutes I took to watch nature, these thoughts are all mine, not those of the "webmaster" or 'TBNet' or the web developer at work, not of a son or brother or any other title I assume at times. Mine all mine!

Now then, baack to work...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By TBMOM on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 09:36 pm: Edit Post

Hey Eric,

Yea, sometimes you really need to think about what is important. Now, want to know how small this world is? I live in Phoenix and it took a hurricane in Jamaica for us to "know" each other. I have met Rebecca, she offered us a ride when we were returning our daughter to school in Tranquility Bay.

WOW.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jill on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 06:24 am: Edit Post

Indeed. After two lashings in SW Florida from Charley and Frances, I worked a clinical rotation last Thursday night in a local Children's hospital. Every TV was turned to Ivan coverage while Florida braced itself for another hit, and I sat in anxiety watching Ivan inch unwaveringly toward our beloved Jamaica. I had the honor of being assigned to a precious 5 year-old girl with profound retardation, cerebral palsy and a nasty infection. She labored with every breath looking at the ceiling and clenching my finger tightly. When I caressed her cheek and sung her name to her, and synchronized our breath, she cleared and she grinned broadly, staring off into a far space, so grateful to be comfortable. We sat in peace for an hour. I forgot about the storm, my bills, my assignments due, my day planner, and thanked God for the opportunity to be in the most perfect moment for myself and my little friend.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By a visitor on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 07:20 am: Edit Post

This morning I got out of my car in the parking lot of the bank where I worked in New Jersey, and saw a family of 7 wild turkeys at the edge of the parking lot. There was a large tom watching out and leading the group, who slowly walked off into the woods, pecking as they went. Wild turkeys used to be very rare around here, now they are coming back.

I thought about how depending on each other and forming partnerships is a natural, wonderful thing. Caring is essential. Once I got inside I thought about risk and loss and cougars and hurricanes, and how our groups are strong so we can survive our damage. And so I thought about the community here.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By janice on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 02:58 pm: Edit Post

Having just a year ago returned from the Peace Corps in Haiti I still think about how fortunate I am---all the time. Always when I leave the bathroom. You may laugh but put your email, blackberry's and remote controls aside, indoor plumbing is the greatest invention of the 20th century and potable water is more valuable than diamonds. Yes, those of us who are fortunate enough to suffer and live through a difficult experience are enriched by it. Keeping that alive in ourselves is like holding a treasure tight. My repect to all of the Treasure Beach-ites. You will look back on this fondly and in many ways I envy you and you will forever have my respect.