September 28-B, 2022

**Penobsccot Bay Sunset 03 10/14/2009 B Oil Paint Rendered, Deer Isle, Maine**

We live to find the still point,
the safe harbor,
of balance and harmony.

The catch is that there
are no steady states of life and being.
Now we have it,
now we don't.

Controlling the wobbles
will have to do.

Emptiness, stillness and silence
can help with that.
Reducing noise and complexity.
Diminishing vulnerability
by limiting exposure.

But, prisoners in solitary confinement
are very safe.
Freedom has its downsides,
responsibility being one of them.
How constraining responsibility is!

And so, the flow between extremes,
looking for just right
between too hot and too cold.
The movement of life and being.

Living takes a lot of getting used to.
And flexibility.
And good humor.
Listening, looking, being aware,
doing what needs to be done
in the service of balance and harmony,
and letting looking for the still point
become the still point
while being on the move.
Laughing.
Enjoying the dance.
And the thrill of not-knowing what's next
or what we will do about it.
Looking forward to finding out.
Hoping it never ends.
Weeping when it's done.
And getting back in line
to do it again.
Never tiring of the dance.

Published by jimwdollar

I'm retired, and still finding my way--but now, I don't have to pretend that I know what I'm doing. I retired after 40.5 years as a minister in the Presbyterian Church USA, serving churches in Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina. I graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, in Austin, Texas, and Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. My wife, Judy, and I have three daughters and five granddaughters within about twenty minutes from where we live--and are enjoying our retirement as much as we have ever enjoyed anything. View more posts