Jotting inside the cove, The Child sang and counted.
“Jot, jot, jotting along–––
1,2,3,4.
I’m jot, jot, jotting along.
4,3,2,1.”
“Child, that sounds nice, but why are you counting?”
“Counting my joules, Prophet. I’m measuring my effort.”
“Oh, I see, and what will knowing that bring you?”
“Not quite sure yet, Prophet, but I think that’ll prove to
you, I’m rested, and then, we can get going.”
“You need another day of rest, Child.”
“But why? I’m rested. It’s time to be moving on,” The Child
said, and she stopped jotting. “Are we
hiding out?”
“No, Child. You’re resting.”
“But I’m tired of resting.”
“Then, jot some more.”
The Child started walking, slowly, kicking the water with
her feet, her shoulders drooping; her head bent downward.
“You’re not jotting, Child. I thought you wanted to measure
your effort.”
“I’m jotting, just slowly.”
“That doesn’t look like jotting to me,” The Prophet said.
“Not much effort in that."
“Does it really matter? If I do a lively jot or slow jot.”
“No, it doesn’t, but you’re not slow jotting.”
“If I’m not slow jotting, then what am I doing, Prophet?”
“You tell me.”
“I’m bored.”
“Then, stop.”
The Prophet watched as the sulking Child came back to the
lily pad. She stomped to her corner and
taking her green leafy blanket, she lay down and turned her back to the Prophet.
“Child, you’ll wish for this hiatus, one day.”
“No, I won’t,” The Child said and turned over to sit up and
face The Prophet, eyeballs to eyeballs.
“Prophet, I don’t like resting!”
“Nobody does, Child. People love jots cause they’re quickly sprinted
actions, but it’s resting that refuels and invigorates.”
“So, when will we jot out of here?”
“Soon enough, Child. Soon enough.”
Shalom,
Pat Garcia
I'm laughing as this child sounds like my granddaughters when they need a quiet time from their "jots!" Thanks for reminding me of life and the necessity for taking the time to relax.
ReplyDeleteThank you my dear for dropping by. Isn't it nice how kids keep us moving as we jot around. They are joy to our lives.
DeleteShalom,
Patricia
I love your music and your rhythm, Patricia. And, after all, it's the rests, the silences between the notes, that make the music.
ReplyDeleteWith the impatience of the Child, though, I often find it hard to just stop and rest, even though I know that at the heart of that resting come the jewels of wisdom and the renewed energy to go forward.
Wise and endearing, as always. Thank you.
Shalom,
Samantha
My Dear Samantha,
DeleteYou are so right. The silences between the notes make the music, but like you, I too am like that impatience Child that doesn't like resting.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Shalom,
Patricia
Great Post, Pat.. There is this concept in Buddhism where you should find solace in sitting idly, not doing anything, getting used to getting bored and when the boredom ceases and the mind is at rest and is calm, this clears our understanding.. This story is all about that.. Loved this piece :)
ReplyDeleteJoy and Jealousy
Thank you so much Roohi and thanks for sharing your thoughts. This concept is also find in Christianity. In fact, it is one of the main concepts that run throughout the Bible.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week.
Shalom,
Pat