Abby Raeder Contemplative Photographer
  • Home
  • About
    • About Abby
    • Artist Statement
    • NGOs and Me
  • Gallery
    • Everyday Wonder
    • Through The Looking Glass
    • A Space To Breathe
  • Musings
  • Contact

The Fear to Launch

5/31/2022

0 Comments

 
The Fear to Launch Picture
The morning stillness was interrupted by a shrill geschrei*.

“I won’t be a pappus! I am a water lily.” Cried Pappus*

As he drifted quietly across the pond, he thought how much he enjoyed everything about this place. He liked the sun warming him, he liked the refreshing feel of the water and he liked the protection of the shoreline which comforted him, so he decided to stay.

As Cloud passed overhead, he asked Pappus, “What is this nonsense I hear? You don’t want to be a Pappus? That’s impossible! That is who you are.”

“No!” Pappus said in a very indignant tone. “I am a beautiful water lily and you can’t tell me anything different.”

“Oh sweet Pappus,” as Cloud continues, “You are very much a Pappus, just as I am very much a cloud, and Sky is sky and the Grasshopper is grasshopper. That’s just how life is.”

“Well I’m changing the rules. From now on, please call me Water Lily.” Said Pappus.

Cloud now became concerned and said, “Dear one, we all have come to this strange and remarkable place with a unique job. A job which is imperative to keep the natural order of things humming. It is an honor to have such a job.”

“I don’t care! I’m not listening to you.” As Pappus turned away.

Cloud continued in a firm, yet gentle tone, “I think you are just fearful to become whom you are meant to be. Fear not, dear one, for Nature has a bigger plan for you. You have the most important job of all: to carry your seed, by the lift of wind to places exciting and new. You will rest only when you are ready to take root, so your species can continue to flourish.

And what about all the human children that look to launch their wishes with a puff of breath? Those innocent wishes would never take flight because of your refusal to do what you were born to do.

Make friends with Fear. Ask him why has he come. Give him space. Allow him to be, then miraculously Fear will morph into something else: confidence to become whom you are meant to be. If we all do our jobs, the results will be wondrous. 

See how blue Sky is? 
See how Water flows with ease?
See Crow glide effortlessly across the sky? 
They are all doing their jobs.”

Pappus listened very intently and said, “Yes, I am scared. The sky is so big and vast and I am so small. What will happen to me?”

“Trust, dear one, trust the rhythm of nature and you will become miraculous.” said Cloud.

Pappus lifted itself towards the sky, and was heard repeating, “I trust, I trust,” as Breeze picked him up and carried him off to places exciting and new.
​
Live in color,

Abby
​
* A colorful Yiddish word describing a yell, shout or uproar
​
* The feathery bristles of the dandelion puff ball which functions as a parachute enabling the seed to be carried by the wind.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    ​MUSINGS

    An image alone sometimes feels insufficient, that’s where Musings come in. A space where words and images come together to tell the story.

    Musings List

    MAILING LIST

    I promise not to sell, rent, or share your email address with anyone. Ever. ​

    ARCHIVES

    May 2022
    April 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015

© 2022 Abby Raeder Contemplative Photographer - all rights reserved.
site powered by MaryHiggins webdesign
  • Home
  • About
    • About Abby
    • Artist Statement
    • NGOs and Me
  • Gallery
    • Everyday Wonder
    • Through The Looking Glass
    • A Space To Breathe
  • Musings
  • Contact