Morning Prayer 33/100. Steady pace

Steady pace

Steady pace

Moving at a steady pace is most often your best bet.

I went out to run earlier than usual one morning last week. All along the way, a 10-yard stretch of grass separates sidewalk from boulevard. I rounded a curve and came upon a doe and two fawn, perhaps 3 weeks old, grazing on that grass.

Alertly, they raised their heads. I could see them judging whether to dart or not. My heart skipped because the boulevard’s morning traffic was increasing. If they ran, trying to cross the boulevard was their likely choice.

I continued to run, trying to decide if I should slow down and maybe lessen their alarm. Or maybe speed up and remove their fear more quickly. I continued to run unable to decide. In a few seconds I was past them. Their noses were back in the grass.

I’m thinking that maintaining my steady pace — even without consciously meaning to do so — allowed the deer not to take the street-crossing risk.

How often is maintaining a steady pace to my advantage as well? And perhaps to yours? My morning routine enjoys a steady pace of praying and journaling and praying and reading and praying and expressing thanks (which is praying). It certainly starts every day wonderfully. The steady pace with which I manage my running — rather than trying to run ever faster or ever farther — allows me to continue running, without injury. The steady pace of making time to see the sun rise, to pet Whispurr when she asks, to write 10 things I’m thankful for every day fills my joy barrel. To overflow.

I reached the turnaround point of that morning’s run. As I turned, I wondered if the deer would still be grazing on that green stretch.

They were not to be seen. I did what might be a small turkey’s flared tail. I ran a few yards closer and saw it was no turkey. It was a skunk.

I did not maintain my steady pace.

Good friend God,
the pace at which we live
affects the ways we feel
and how we affect those around us.
The steady certainty with which you
give us love tells us that we are always loved
and unconditionally supports our very being.
Spirit, while we cherish the time
to be still that we may know more clearly
more strongly we are your creation,
we also know the beauty of our steady pace.
We restore ourselves that we not rush tumultously
to do and get and have.
We fill ourselve when we not tarry but move on
to discover the joy of oneness.
Thank you, God, for teaching us the skill
of living at our steady pace.
And so it is. Amen.

Love and blessings,

Tim

 

09/08/2015