Free falling….
Comfort zones have a shelf life; they get stale.
Familiarity can feel cozy….even when the well has gone dry.
When I go stiff to change,
saying “no” to that gentle nudge to yield and follow,
my safe place becomes a prison.
And I find myself defending my right to stay.
I’ve become attached
and am practiced at making nice with my chains.
It seems less traumatic than stepping again into the unknown.
Are much of our lives are lived in these shadowlands?
…huddled around the charred remains of a campfire-gone-cold… only lonesome gray ashes where light once bathed us in comfort and warmth?
I don’t want to live in shadowlands.
I want the real and raw and fully alive, even when I’m terrified.
So I’ll lean forward into the opening door……far, far from the ground,
choosing to trust huge outstretched arms I cannot see and the heart that whispers
“I’ve got you”.
Last week I heard Kim Hill croon these words:
“I sing because I’m happy
I sing because I’m free.
I know His eye is on the sparrow
and He does so much more than watch over me.”
Then, as soulful voices continued to sing this, her deep rich voice began weaving seamlessly with the chorus Tom Petty’s “I’m free…….free falling.”
The singing washed over my outstretched heart until it got inside me. It seems like all the atoms in my being have joined the song, loud and primal.
I’m there. And I’m okay with that.
You have said a heart full here jen, I can so identify with the truth you have written here so powerfully. And can I just say I love your tag line, 'beautifully wild indeed'! wish I had said it 🙂
I with Bren – beautifully wild indeed – lose the tyranny of the appropriate….
I don't want to live in the shadowlands either!!
I want to be engaged, fully alive, involved, moving forward, even wrestling at times. Knowing I am safe in the arms I am "free falling" into!!
Love how you write!!!
I greatly appreciated your comment this morning … it gave such a lovely concept to envision
Hi Sweet Jen,
I'm so glad you found my blog. I so identify with your wrestling with fear… 3 steps forward, 2 steps back… Your art work + writing is vulnerable + inspiring. Love it!
Blessings, erin
I appreciate your attitude. You want to live, not just exist. We all need to have that desire but most of us are too busy being stressed and miserable wishing we could live. Thanks for such a great post. God bless.