Stop...Watch...Breathe

A reflection

Stop…Watch… Breathe

What do you see?

Are you in the now?

Today?

… or are you suspended in time… waiting … for something… or maybe someone?

So much confusion.  No direction.  

Breathe… again… and again… the anxiety is intense.  I want to stop it.  Go away.  But how?

Reflection.  Why?  What is going on?  Confusion.

Control.  Get control of something, somehow.  Hold on.  Persevere.

Focus.  Not complicated.  Simple.  Now.  Be present.

I breathe… deep… exhale.  I open my eyes and feel suspended in time.  Relief.  I hear… I’m listening… the fog is lifting… maybe there is hope…

'lil dot

10/26/2022

Author's Note

Any comments or input is appreciated

Reviews

[Ken e Bujold]

the first thought I had, and there are many, came from the title of your poem: how the 3 commands could be ordered in different ways, each shifting the perspective of the poem in subtle but significant ways. And being the way I am, I did just that reading the work multiple times, each time shuffling the play list as it were.
the emotion of the poem is one that swings between anxiety of being without control of world around you, and the need to control which are the two main dualities of the human mind. Again, returning to my original note, the switching of my focus, led me to varying thoughts on the issue. Personally, I have come to the point in my life where I accept that just about everything is beyond my control. On an existentialist plane, I can breathe (usually under my control) I can watch (somewhat under my control) and stop (swinging like a pendulum between always and never). Our minds are akin to rivers rushing towards the sea, at various times smooth almost tranquil pools or raging rapids, when and where mostly beyond our control, which is fine, it's what makes life bearable. I try to live within the moment, but as the saying goes, there is in fact no present, what is is gone by the time you visualize it, and what will be is an illusion until it speeds by you on its way to join the past. What we wish for is neither here nor there, what we live is an illusion. So, I happily accept and swim along in my river.

thanks for the existential jog this morning LilDot really enjoyed the poem

ken

[lildot]

Thank you, ken…. Your vivid response added much thought inside my mind. The visual of life being much like a river is magical for me. Yes, there is really nothing that we can really control in our reality so letting go is freeing, knowing the inevitable may be here sooner than later …. Oftentimes I feel my life IS AN illusion. My best… ‘lil dot

[willweb]

Now I know many probably say this, but I needed to read this poem today no matter how scattered about it made me feel to read it. These are words I needed to hear but....being a man, I probably won't take anyone's advice or help (or directions) when it comes to things like this because, I know where I am and I know where I am going (probably).
This was cool and fun lildot. Thanks for sharing this.

[lildot]

Thank you wilweb. I find myself scattered a lot these days. Glad you enjoyed it! 'lildot ...
read moreThank you wilweb. I find myself scattered a lot these days. Glad you enjoyed it! 'lildot ...

[Neville]

reads great .. sounds awful .. anxiety is such a b***h and so often misunderstood or underestimated :)

[lildot]

Anxiety is truly a b***h and one I find inside almost every day.... I thrive on the days I can put my fingers to the keys to write and let my feelings out. Thanks you, and I'm thankful that you understand... 'lil dot...

[Neville]

write on my friend & go well lildot .. N :)

[Miss Sharon]

(Control. Get control of something, somehow. Hold on. Persevere.) What we really need to do in the face of our current world. Easier said than done eh? Great write. ~Sharon

[lildot]

Thank you! Somehow we who persevere keep our heads down and just keep going on.... 'lil dot

[John the Baptist]

The poem makes a very important point. Most of us spend our days with our minds jumping continually to the past or the future. Very little time is spent in the present, which is unfortunate, because that's the only time that actually exists. The description of focusing techniques is very helpful, mainly because they are so simple. Living in the now is very simple. It's also damned difficult.

[lildot]

Thank you! So agree with you "living in the now is very simple, but also damned difficult".