Sunday, December 11, 2011

A Pause in Advent 3 - Just a Pause

On Thursday I took time out for a walk (a rare activity over the last few weeks) and I was in a position to simply Pause.Life isn't crazy-busy - we're celebrating Christmas away from home and in a fairly non-materialistic sort of way, and you know I have the food prepared already!
But work for both me and Ben is thriving, which is good, the boys and the dog have been taking it in turns to be ill, which is par for the course in December, and all in all, pausing doesn't seem as natural as it did in the summer, or in September for that matter.
So I forced myself out on a walk and was rewarded with a Pause.
I headed down the track to the lake, noticing how the trees had become more bare since my last outing there.
Suddenly there was an increase in bird calls, and small shapes flitted from tree to tree. I had walked into a group of long-tailed tits, communicating with constant little peeps which began to sound like a series of water droplets falling from the branches all around me.
I stood still and let them dart around above my head. There was a jay nearby, calling occasionally, and perhaps they were agitated by the threatening presence. It's possible that they were just communicating between themselves though, as they certainly didn't try to move on. Great tits and marsh tits joined in, and towards the end I watched a treecreeper living up to its name as it scaled an ivy-covered trunk. There have been times when my mind has been incredibly active when watching birds or looking at plants. What is this? Why can't I remember its name? What is it doing? Where has it gone now?

But over the last few years I've discovered that, while my mind seeks information, my soul craves a Pause. I need to be out in the open, living in nature rather than analysing it. And it was good to discover that it is possible to get out and Pause, even in Advent.

12 comments:

Elizabethd said...

So true, Floss. We all need those pause moments in busy times.

helen tilston said...

Hello Floss

Your walk and joining the company of the birds must have been spectacular. The images are so peaceful

Helen xx

Unknown said...

What a lovely walk - and a sweet time of quietness and rest for you. I'm afraid I'm following your boys and dog's example and have caught a bad cold, so I'm staying inside most of this week - I did spot some lovely scenes of approaching winter last week, though, while out walking. So it's doubly delightful to still get to enjoy some autumn colors in your photo. Thanks for a lovely pause in Advent. Stay healthy :)

Lalabibaby @ Dreaming of The Simple Life said...

Very peaceful thoughts and images Floss .... I feel the same when I walk the dogs over the fields and there is not another soul in sight x

Pom Pom said...

Oh, I loved your walk. I think I need a crisp walk today. A quiet one.

Pomona said...

A lovely walk to take! I have just done my Pause post too - not outdoors though!

Pomona x

Elderberry-Rob said...

Yes, for me the woods is my place to pause prayerfully. Your pictures today are lovely and I could imagine your walk amongst the birds.

VintageVicki said...

Thank you for your comment - you and Jen were very much in my thoughts when I wrote todays post.

magsmcc said...

This is fabulous and even more so as I slowly realise that the same Spirit runs through everyone this weekend!

scrumptious days said...

Your photos of your walk are so delightfully calming, Thank you, a perfect Pause.

Fat Dormouse said...

You sound as though that pause was a much needed gift from God. I'm glad that he refreshed you with the things you needed.
Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy Christmas and a peaceful new year. God bless.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures, so soothing. Last week was very hectic and I am trying to calm down a bit (smiles) by reading everyone's Advent II and III posts. Thank you so much for these images.