Pragmatist
Pragmatist

Coping Mechanisms
Mon Mar 30 2009

I have a favorite place to go to when the world too much intrudes.

It's in the Idaho mountains. Warm Lake, specifically. I probably wouldn't recognize the place after 50 years, but in my mind, it's a place of peace and quiet.

I'm in a canoe, a little removed from the shore, and the waves are gently rocking the canoe. It's evening, the sun is setting, and the birds are quietly twittering, getting ready for the night. As the evening progresses, a star or two can be seen in the darkening sky. But it's summer, so the twilight goes on and on. Sometimes there's still some light in the sky at 10:00pm. 

Or it's just after sunrise, and the world around me is waking. The birds are chatting away, the sky is lightening as the morning progresses.  The deer cautiously come to the edge of the lake to drink. There's other wildlife rustling around in the brush; they're shy and only a quick glimpse if given. Everything is still quiet and peaceful, but there's an anticipation. The world is still held at bay, and I'm still enjoying the gentle quiet and utter peace of my world at peace.

I see the mountains rising up from the lake, mountains heavily forested with evergreens and deciduous trees in their summer green. In the fall, the deciduous trees will be a show of riotous color against the evergreens.

Oh! and the magnificent thunderstorm. Lightning a pyrotechnic show, and the thunder thunderous! What a symphony. Nothing like a thunderstorm in the mountains with the thunder ricocheting off the mountainsides and the lightning coursing across the heavens.  And then the silence. Profound. And the delicious smell of the clean, rain-washed air.  Somehow, even a thunderstorm refreshes me.

Finally my canoe drifts to the shore and I get out of the boat. Refreshed and ready for whatever is waiting.


Bless
12 Comments
  • From:
    Dustbunny3 (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Mar 31 2009
    AH gee that brings back many memories of trips in the far north. lost my older brother just over a week ago and we did some canoing in the far north . There is a peacefull slience that takes over your mind and body. Sigh.
  • From:
    Yetzirah (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Mar 31 2009
    A good thunderstorm.

    There's nothing quite like it eh?
  • From:
    Dreamerbooks2003 (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Mar 31 2009
    Mind if I join you in your canoe?? .. I promise not to intrude or say a thing
  • From:
    404Error (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Mar 31 2009
    That sounds wonderful. Well, except I'm pretty sure it's not a good idea to be out on a canoe in the middle of a lake during an electrical storm. But the rest is aces!
  • From:
    Mamallama (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Mar 31 2009
    That is a simply beautiful thought.
    Nice start for a meditation.
    Thanks for taking us there.
    Hugs, Tiggs
  • From:
    Supertrooper (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Mar 31 2009
    Thats what heaven must be like .....
  • From:
    DancingButterfly (Legacy)
    On:
    Wed Apr 01 2009
    Thank you for sharing. I need to find my heaven to retreat to.
  • From:
    Welshamethyst (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Apr 02 2009
    Visualization is absolutely a powerful coping mechanism. P and I worked on some of that while she was here in an effort to reduce her stress levels. I hope it works for her.
  • From:
    Welshamethyst (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Apr 02 2009
    RYC: There's a gene that regulates whether or not a cat is succeptible to 'nip. A lot of the oriental breeds (like the Siams) don't have it. I suspect that Romeo is only interested because of the Persian side of his nature.
  • From:
    Waterspriteflying (Legacy)
    On:
    Sun Apr 05 2009
    sigh. That was beautiful. Thanks for taking us on that journey.

    Love and hugs,
    Ani
  • From:
    CovertOps (Legacy)
    On:
    Sun Apr 05 2009
    Oh my! I love your favorite place to go! Now that bit about the intrusive world reminds me of one of my favorite songs, "Up On The Roof" by The Drifters.

    I should start developing a coping mechanism like yours. Try to remember Yosemite National Park, which I loved, and New Zealand with all its sheep and greenery, and the hills where I go birdwatching... sigh.

    The SPCA has finally got their stock of cloth shopping bags. I will send you one soon.

    Love,
    E.L.
  • From:
    Waterspriteflying (Legacy)
    On:
    Mon Apr 06 2009
    I had a feeling when I posted, especially hearing about the high winds in your area, that you might be familiar with the stretch of I-5 where I took those fence photos! We were a few miles south of Santa Nella, which is a bit southeast of San Jose.

    Do you know that stretch?