The whole harbor lies waiting as I walk down to the shore first thing in the morning.
First breezes stir the surface into marching wavelets,
Except in the lee of the old stone pier.
Here,
Resting behind the protective arm of the pier,
The water stays still and dark.
You too can rest under a sheltering arm right now.
Accept and enjoy the silence offered.
Be as calm water with a smooth surface but having depth as well.
Let the stillness sink deeper.
Your body is the container for all the stillness,
A whole harbor full.
Feel your physical self stretch to hold all the quiet,
Your muscles expanding and contracting,
Even as you simply sit here,
Noticing your body,
Both surface and deep within.
Just as with any body of water,
There is both surface and depth to feelings.
And there is movement,
The tides and currents.
Some feelings skim lightly along the surface,
While others stir ponderously the dark depths.
Stir your feelings.
Welcome all the momentary protections when they come,
So that spirit has,
Like the harbor,
Places of calm.
Imagine all the other moments of respite in all the harbors of the world,
And join this protected place where spirit can reign.
May you today both find and offer arms that protect.
Your gift today is shelter.