All I could hear was the sound of my own breathing as the air moved rhythmically through the snorkel. Below me the sea was crystal clear and there was the clean white sand of the sea floor about thirty feet below me. Rising from it where the submerged rocks, like some unmapped mountain range. Coral grew from every crevice and the different varieties where breathtaking with the fronds waving gently in the passing currents. Multi coloured fish moved slowly through the growth and, looking at it, I became lost in another world where daily events had no context. The peace and serenity filled me with a powerful sense of calm and bought me to a place where I felt at one with the world around me. It became a sort of prayer.
At other times in my life, sitting by the sea or moving over it silently in boats, or walking in mountains lost in distant views. Sometimes moving through the narrow streets of foreign countries, a stranger to all but myself I have achieved the same sense of completeness. A man greeting the world around him, connecting with the planet on which we live and gaining a brief sense of the context in which lives more simply lived enjoy their own routines.
Now, I have become a captain without a boat or pilot without a plane I have tasted certain truths: a man without influence or power is increasingly ignored and marginalised: this I have found from experience. It is an introduction to subtle forms of humiliation available to those at the margins of society or influence. Sometimes, in these quite different circumstances, where the pressure to sustain myself has been as severe as anything I have known I have also experienced a sense of displaced calm not dissimilar to that which I felt some years ago floating above the coral.
This has stolen up on me almost unawares: that I should find a peace in this quite different place would seem was barely possible. Don’t get me wrong, my existance is currently very low on any kind of certainty apart from the ability to breath and walk which I am grateful for.. Any troubles I find myself in are largely my own fault athough there is a ladybird walking across the laptop:a conduct that borders on the rude and I may well give it a stiff talking-to to vent my frustrations.
It is a strange feeling: a sense of certainty and being in danger at one and the same time: feeling part of some grand design even though rationally you know you are probably not. A proof that whatever your circumstances there are things to learn and feelings to be experienced. I have always thought life to be an adventure and it goes without saying that some parts of these adventures are harder than others. What you learn from life is largely up to you but the chance to grow and learn is not necessarily tied to circumstances. It is a choice we can all make regardless of where we find ourselves.
At some point, one hopes, my circumstances will improve and I will then become less exposed to the censure of others. All my life I have taken pleasure in helping others but now I find no one needs help more than myself and looking after myself has never been something I have paid much attention to. Possibly the gods are telling me I should concentrate more when I’m in class. Only he knows.
While the details of your circumstances remain a fuzzy mystery (and absolutely none of our business) I am delighted that you have indeed checked back into the virtual world and let us know that you’re still hanging on, something I tend to do by a fingernail on a daily/hourly basis. I have no direction as to where I’m going, where I am or where I need to be, but “regardless of where we find ourselves,” we have that chance to grow–whether we like it or not.
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Thankyou. Your good wishes and support are very welcome
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Welcome back, countingducks
Whatever your circumstances are, I hope they do, indeed, improve. This is a beautifully written, oblique and elliptical post. Sending you kind thoughts across the ether.
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Very nice of you to say. Always happy to se you in my little corner of the Blogosphere
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~~a man without influence or power is increasingly ignored and marginalised~~
Ducky, this sentence stood out “Boldly.”
The thing is… it doesnt matter a damn what they think ( Whomever they are )
What really matters is that your VOICE is strong & that you know Who You Are.
You Do, Ducky! You Do! x
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Thankyou. Your Blog always makes me feel stronger.
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Really great to hear from counting ducks again!
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Keep writing Peter! It helps to work out the kinks in life. No one is judging out here, no one has any ill will toward you here, we are all rooting for you and loving your words. Keep writing!
b
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I will keep writing Barbara. You are a living example of what determination can do in the face of adversity
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So glad you’re back, Peter. This piece alludes to things much deeper than exploring a coral reef. I’ve just taken to swimming in a pool (where I’m unlikely to see sea critters that scare me). I know the peace of water–and the danger of it, too (even when I try to keep my head above it).
Perhaps you’ll find some peace in the sanctuary of your writer’s mind as you are toss around in the waves of whatever life is bringing you. I hope so for your sake and ours.
All the best always, my friend, Lorna
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Thankyou for your warm and kind words.
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Good to see you post. I’ve been through a bit, and more than anything, you need to believe in yourself as a starting point. Healing yourself follows, at least coming to equilibrium where the wounds are well counterbalanced by positive forces. Just remember there are people near and people far who care, and who will lend a shoulder, do what they can to help someone find that good place.
*hugs*
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The support of my friends on the Blogosphere makes a big difference believe you me
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May you head for wonderful calmer waters that caress your being.
Stay true to yourself. That’s all any of us can do.
Hugs
xxx
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Thankyou. I shall take a leaf out of your gutsy approach to life
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Peter I am very happy to see you are back and writing! The best thing you can do is take care of yourself and focus on what you need to do. The rest will work itself from there – I wish you the best on your journey!
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Good advice as always Belle. Must work more on focussing. Now where are my glasses
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Are they on the nightstand?
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It is so wonderful to hear from you again. You write movingly and insightfully, and I hope you find the support of the little community a balm when one is needed.
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The support from this little community is more powerful than you can believe. It is really heartwarming
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You know, one of the things we continually fail to do us attend to ourselves. My grandma used to have a saying, “water your own tree before you can water someone else’s. ” it took me years to understand what she meant.
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I agree Emm. Its something I often forget
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Your writing always moves me but what I really want to say is that I have missed you. Really missed you. Please keep writing x
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Your Blog is always one of my highspots and one of the first I found. Its very nice to read your comment
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Peter, be strong and keep treading water even if it’s exhausting… the tide will shift. I have a sense of your current situation and can relate… i’m there. It is not fun when one feels powerless, and at the mercy of hypocrites… But I’ll say no more. Thinking of you and sending virtual hugs. 🙂
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Your happy Blog always gives me a lift. Thankyou for that and for commenting on mine
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The sentiments are mutual. TY too! 🙂
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Good to see you back in the blogging world Peter. While I don’t know what has caused you this distress (and it’s none of my business anyway) I do hope that you find your way back to yourself. Be kind to yourself. We are all vulnerable at times and need to look after ourselves first.
As they tell us on airplanes – Look after yourself first so that you can then help others. 🙂
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Good advice as always. Your experience and centered comments are always a pleasure to read
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I’m pleased you’re back – and boy are you back with a post that makes us work at interpreting things. Writing for me is a pleasure – so is reading. I enjoyed your post. Thank you.
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Hi Ducks. I’m glad you’re back. I’ve truly missed your insightful writing. I’m thinking good thoughts for you. “Don’t let the bastards (whoever they are) get you down.”
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I will try and not let them get me down. Your comment made me smile
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Boy have I missed your writing :). it was so refreshing to read your post again. You have no idea how much I missed visiting this place. I don’t know if anyone has told you this.. but thank you for your wonderful post 🙂
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Thankyou very much. I can’t say how much your last post made me wish I could take a holiday. You have such a great eye for things that I always love visiting your Blog as well
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Your blog is proof that you are anything but marginalized or ignored. I’m reminded of a very trite but true saying “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” You too, will be stronger for enduring this hardship, whatever it is.
One thing is certain. Your writing gift has not suffered as a result. Welcome back.
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WELCOME back my long lost friend. I am so glad you joined us again. I wish to utter words to soothe the soul and strengthen the arms and make a friend ready for life. I pray that grace and peace lift your spirit and empower you in ways you had not imagined. 😀
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Wow, this was beautiful.
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