Seeking Refuge

Upper Mississippi River. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

I first titled this post: "Finding Refuge." There were times in my life I knew precisely where to go to recharge. On the swing under the ancient oak tree in my yard. By the fountains near the office where I once worked. In the basement where I could play with dolls and friends. Well, I can't quite find refuge at this phase of my life--which probably coincides with the point at which some folks think: "If you don't have refuge in your heart, where and when will you find it?" Disquiet is a good word for uneasiness. I did steal away yesterday to a place that had a pond, and I saw some yellow water lilies there. This picture of the Missississipi had the closest match I could find. The flowers I saw yesterday were budding, not open. The ones here are exuberant in their petal-celebration of sun. I have learned my share of deep breathing and visualization techniques in life. I think that these, too, can be used for effective living or as escape. Sometimes the mind spins and spins like a disk drive with nothing in it. (Soon that technology will be obsolete--if it isn't already.) If your eyes light on this, I wish you momentary refuge (wherever you may find it) from the struggles of your life.