Peace Found in Stormy Weather; Tearing Down Walls

Happy Monday, Vocal Media community, and welcome to another edition of my morning huddle, a year-long weekly feature!

First, I apologize for not publishing last week. Work demands got in the way, interfering with my creative time. I spent plenty of time beating myself up as this project holds great personal meaning- then something happened that uplifted my spirit. The results of Vocal's New Year, New Projects challenge were posted and I was delighted to find my entry as one of the runner-up winners.

The above article featured the reveal of my Monday Morning Huddle project.

Having my story selected among the many talented writers on this platform quickly canceled the less-than-satisfied feelings I was struggling with knowing I had missed publishing an edition of my feature. I soon forgave myself realizing that sometimes life is hectic and things get in the way but the show must go on.

And so today, I am back, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to get this huddle started.

Peace Found in Stormy Weather; Tearing Down Walls

Saturday evening a storm passed through central New York; as an Albany resident, I prepared for the worst taking up shelter in one of Marriott's rooms (also my place of employment as their Operations Manager).

Already drained from working long hours since a basketball team checked out late at 5 pm, I did not complete my shift until after 9 and didn't settle in until a couple of hours later. Up and at it first thing in the morning meant another day of work running on inadequate sleep.

Stiff and achy with Starbucks coffee in hand, I went outside to see what Mother Nature left us.

Sure the window-side view from my room was pretty but there is nothing quite like getting outside and fully partaking in nature.

So I did...

Walking the hotel perimeter, as I often do, my attention quickly turned to something one might think rather mundane.

A snow-covered stone wall. ❄️❄️❄️

"Whoopty doo, who cares, and big deal freakin deal," one might say. Fair enough if you say it, too, but I am that gal who sees bigger things in smaller scenarios- so now I share with you!

I stopped dead in my tracks, noting each snow bulge and the descending pattern leading to an ivory blanketing. Freshly crafted without one markup on this palette except for a couple of large footprints in the foreground (which I had to capture in my photo).

Art, yes, this was art but my continued gaze soon took on a greater meaning.

The would-be plain ol' stone wall of my many previous encounters suddenly took on a deeper spiritual significance.

"BREAK DOWN YOUR BARRIERS" SPOKE TO ME AS INTENSELY AS THIS CAPITALIZED SENTENCE.

Huh...

So I froze in place just admiring this stone wall, a former plainest of all Janes, and began listening to my spirit's calling.

The cold or wind did not bother me; my heart was warm, and the air whooshed a message greater than any storm's bodily effect.

Physical chills were "the lesser" than in this equation because I gained a perspective that equaled PEACE. ☮︎

Peace of mind despite all my recent challenges, which all boil down to work.

Overextending myself, not having enough downtime, fatigue (mental and physical), subjected to a non-exhaustive list of duties, underpaid, overworked, and unappreciated.

Sound familiar anyone?

I am sorry to hear. 😓

Peace became my overcoat at this moment, a feeling confirming what I already knew but ignored time and time again.

Change was necessary and much sooner than later.

This snow-covered stone wall spoke to me. Each tablet continued a narrative telling me to tear down the walls that confine my well-being.

A smile took over my face then my attention turned to the large footprint in the snow before me.

I decided that although my little size 6 foot might swim within this molding it was time to try it on for size and walk, continuing the journey on the frosted backdrop, imprinting new trails of purpose.

I am happy to report that I am officially embarking on a career transition, one that was once my calling, but has become overbearing (factoring in a corporate perspective).

What about you?

What storms have you been weathering out of duty's call, a sense of self-imposed or otherwise obligation?

What might my photograph inspire in you spiritually?

What walls do you need to tear down to be free?

Find your way to nature and you just might find your peace!

❄️❄️❄️

Happy Monday everyone. Hope you enjoyed the huddle. I write this piece with minimal edits and aim to make you think outside the box, if only for a few minutes.

Thanks for stopping by. See you next week!