13 June 2008

sunday scribblings #115 - guide

follow your instinct



if it's pitch black, follow your instinct --- don't ask, cuz i just don't know - it just banged into my brain with neither fanfare nor warning whilst i was about my morning toilette ---

the wild things survive on their instinct - they weren't blessed with our capacity for emotion, reason, or free will - by their innate senses and learned behaviours they go day by day, dealing with them one by each --- they have no sophisticated burdensome thought processes to bow them down --- they enjoy the elements of nature as far as they enhance their lives and bring them pleasure - and when they are able, they avoid those that may have a negative impact on them ---

they just go from one moment to the next doing whatever wants doing in that moment - they don't carve out elaborate two, five, or ten year goals for themselves --- they don't set themselves up for failure, even though they aren't immune from it ---

what they CAN do, at which we are far less adept, is this: they live in the NOW, and deal with their lives more simply and directly --- by following their instinct they know when to hunt and when to rest - better than we, they are far more aware that to everything there is a season ---


if we find ourselves in the feral equivalent of pitch black, we too should just follow our instinct - "just coast" --- cry when we need to and laugh when we can --- fill the times between with whatever pleases us - even when what pleases us is nothing --- hide if we like or venture forth for a touch - go with our gut and sooner or later it won't be pitch black any longer ---


let the pitch black validate and soothe your angst and follow your heart - when it breaks anew put the band aid of a special memory on it and give it time --- rest secure in the knowledge that although none of us can ever feel exactly the pain of another we can none the less appreciate it by virtue of the fact that we too can hurt ---


one of my favorite books is "if you're afraid of the dark, remember the night rainbow", by cooper edens --- it's a children's book as lots of my favorites are --- the illustrations are wonderful and follow the whimsy of the text --- it’s one of those special gifts to myself that I enjoy when everything is pitch black --- a little bit of a guide back toward the lights for me sometimes ---

the book finishes by saying this:
If there is no happy ending... make one out of cookie dough


The beautiful illustration of the wildcat and cubs was found at: http://livaudaisnet.com/portfolio/illustrations/index.htm

22 comments:

Steve said...

I came, I read and I was impressed!

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

I love this, Danni. Your comment at the Scribblings page is what convinced me to come visit and I'm so glad you did.

This would make a great commencement speech! Really. I might need to print it and hang it on my wall.

gautami tripathy said...

You got me in, danni! I think we all need to read this and follow it.

guiding lights?

murat11 said...

I like your meditation on the recurring "pitch black." It resonates with my interest in what some Sufis refer to as the "radiant dark."

Liza on Maui said...

Great thoughts and reminder. A wonderful Sunday Scribbling post.

Tammy Brierly said...

Danni, this was a truly an inspired piece, full of wisdom. Thank you!

LA Nickers said...

Nicely done.

Blessings,
Linda

IN MY FATHER’S FIELD, at Nickers and Ink

anno said...

This is lovely, danni -- lots of wisdom here. Thanks so much as well for your comment, which guided me to this post.

Traveler said...

I couldn't agree more... the challenge is to hear that "instinct" over the fear...

great post!


oh, and thanks for stopping by...

Tanya Gwen Minnick said...

Danni! this was beautiful! and so true. The "pitch black" drew me in and resonates still.
Very inspiring! you are great!!
miss you
HUGS!!!

TD said...

I often said I'm so bad at making goals. I Just go though life and it always seems to work out for me. After reading this I don't feel so bad about living in the now always. I loved your bit on the dark and will remember it as I stumble along, great work! TD

Foxfire said...

I really like that idea. I think I'll keep it in mind and follow it myself! Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for your kind words on my picture. They're much appreciated!

Tammie Lee said...

"let the pitch black validate and soothe your angst"

Lovely and powerful!

Giggles said...

Very sage Scribbling! I agree! Well done!

Hugs Giggles

DJPare said...

Make one out of cookie dough! It's just so simple...

Nice post!

LA Nickers said...

Thanks so much for your comment at THE MANE POINT.

I appreciate your encouragement!

Blessings,
Linda

Overeducated Twit said...

Whimsical start! And I like the idea of dark having positive potential instead of just, well, darkness.

Kamsin said...

Great post! I wish I could just follow my instinct more sometimes instead of over thinking every move!

Jon said...

Inspiring and thought provoking.
Great post.

lauren said...

Hi Danni,
Your blog is lovely; the colors and pictures blend so well together.
I will look for the book about darkness and rainbows.
Thanks for your nice comment!
(solsamba)

Miss Alister said...

Rave reviews! Yes! OK, now pretend you didn’t read a single one of them because I’m basically just going to say the same thing.

Here’s my one glaring thought: Well, now, that whole piece can be pinned up on the wall of the greatest words of wisdom ever set forth for human consideration.

Because what you wrote is it. It’s all there: the Vedas, Bhagavad Gītā, the Bible, Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now… You nailed the secret to life.

Now if I could more often get my monkey mind to sit still and quit chattering I’d have it made!

ChefDruck said...

I'll be sure to check out that book! I love anything that concludes with eating cookie dough