A wave breaks at the shore.
Never to be seen again.
One wave allows room for the next.
It accepts its impermanence.
It allows for its transformation.
The wave is both impermanent & infinite.
Each drop of water is interconnected.
Within the vastness of the ocean.
So are you.
Looking for a quick fix.
Pacifiers to numb me.
Numb me from my fears.
Numb me from my insecurities.
Cover the pain deep in my heart.
Patch my broken soul.
Give me that rush of dopamine.
Silence the endless stream of anxiety.
Shine your light into the darkness of my depression.
Even if it’s only for a moment.
Will you please end my suffering?
Wander.
No destination.
The path unknown.
Today I will choose excitement, not worry.
Love over fear.
Freedom over security.
Depression
Anxiety.
A deep mental fog.
Sleep deprivation.
Constantly distracted.
Why must I be distracted from my life?
Is my cell phone more important than joy?
I must change this behavior.
Today, I will rip off the band-aid.
No more social media.
No more scrolling away my life.
In front of you is a dense forest. Alone your mind wanders of what lies ahead. The path will be treacherous at times. Will you survive what lies ahead?
Dark clouds lurk above.
Fear, worry, & doubt in every step.
Will I survive the path unknown?
I could just stay in the cozy open field.
Take the easy route.
Ride out my one life in a security blanket.
Imprisoned by doubt.
Step into the lush forest.
Embrace the path unknown.
Everything & everyone is impermanent.
All matter is in a constant state of flow.
Many resist this noble truth.
Hiding from its ever casting shadow.
Running to distraction.
Denying impermanence.
Resistance is futile.
Resistance is suffering.
Resistance steals joy.
The time is now.
To accept this noble truth.
All matter is in a constant state of movement.
Now is the time to live.
Now is the time to love that you are alive.
Not fear your impermanence.
Freedom or security.
Love or fear.
Let go or cling.
Impermanence surrounds every moment.
Keep moving forward.
This post is part of an ongoing series I created about a young French Captain named Pascal. To learn more check out these posts.
https://zenhoff.blog/2018/05/22/the-awakening-of-pascal/
https://zenhoff.blog/2018/05/07/the-life-of-pascal/
Sins of the past now present.
Pascal’s mind like a school of fish pacing in the deep blue sea.
Many mistakes.
Many lessons learned.
Pascal can not change his past.
Only his perception of it.
Pascal is only human.
Folly as the rest.
There will be mistakes on this voyage.
Hearts broken.
Ships sunk.
Forgiveness will let Pascal enjoy this moment.
Compassion will set him free.
My ancestors walk with me.
They live on in my DNA.
An English sailor.
A German farmer.
An Italian factory worker.
A Spanish settler in Mexico.
An Aztec Warrior.
A West African slave.
How did you survive disease?
War-torn countries.
Blatant racism.
Food scarcity.
Unbearable suffering.
Because of your perseverance & strength.
I have this opportunity to live.
Thank you.
A vicious storm has almost sunk Pascal’s ship. It was unexpected and disastrous. Will he recover? Or will he be damaged permanently?
Pascal lays still on the main deck.
His breath shallow.
Nearly dead.
His first officer Pablo has taken over in these trying times.
In the coming weeks, Pascal slowly recovers.
Time seems to be in slow motion for Pascal.
All seems clearer after the storm.
Dark clouds clearing to an open sky.
Pascal has realized that his suffering is of his own doing.
Holding onto whats gone.
Going with fear based decisions.
Mis-judgments.
Limiting beliefs.
Pascal vows to do better.
The Narrow Path 