Endeavor To Persevere

Rockin’ and Prayin’ My sanctuary is the porch. Four rocking chairs, five hanging plants, two plants in pots, and a large yucca tree plus three sets of chimes and a flower box – all surround me with protection and love. I look out from my white padded rocking chair at flowers planted in two circles and the orange, yellow, and purple flowers attract the monarch butterflies on their yearly journey across the Texas prairie on their way to their refuge in Mexico. I can watch the sunrise from my porch as it faces due east, and I can watch the moon rise as well. It is peaceful and tranquil. I rock and pray. Then, a fast cargo train breaks the reverie next to the street in front of the house. As there are no train gates in our little Texas town, the conductor must warn cars approaching the railroad crossing by blaring the loud train horn several times upon approach. The conductor hits the horn every time exactly in front of my porch. The horn blasts cut through the air like a knife and breaks the spell of peace and quiet. It happens several times a day – every day. What is the lesson that can be learned from these two extremes of experience? Exactly that there are times in every one’s life that are quiet and contemplative. Then, when the loud blares of a horn appear, noise will enter one’s life. That noise can represent loss, insecurity, or even fear. How can one cope with the overwhelming noise? I would suggest remembering two things: 1) The quiet and calm can still be within you – even though there is noise and disturbances everywhere about – you can control your own feelings. You can be like the eye in a hurricane. Stay focused on your response. “Keep calm and carry on” is what the British were told in WWII during the air raids. That is still good advice. 2) The second suggestion would be this - please remember that the noise is very temporary. Eventually, the natural rhythm and balance will return. Once again, there will be a sanctuary in your life. There is a saying that goes, “This, too, shall pass.” Yes, quieter times will return. In conclusion, when one’s life becomes overwhelming with the blares of noise, please remember to stay calm and know that better times will come. All wars, battles, famines, droughts, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and floods, in fact, all natural and manmade disasters come to an end. Positive change will come. After the blares of the horn, and there is quiet again on the porch, the butterflies return to the front yard, the birdsong continues, and you can, once again, hear the chimes in the wind. Life is truly beautiful. Find that place within yourself and a place in nature, if possible – to listen to the sounds of joy within and around you. Your soul can, indeed, handle all the sounds of life.