susto - fear that spooks the soul away
a estas alturas - superb vista with age
divina providencia - destiny with choices and spiritual interventions
I chose to write a haibun for this poem. Haibuns consist of a paragraph of prose and a haiku. I've also highlighted and italicized the above phrases.
Coming into my Own
There was a time when my mind would create one scenario after another that filled me with susto. When one would end, another would begin. Rinse, repeat. I kept hoping divina providencia would step in and fix everything for me, but a estas alturas, I have learned that I am in control of my thoughts. I no longer ruminate about worries. Instead, I focus on staying present and enjoying each moment as it comes.
gentle lake in spring
small ripples barely noticed
water ebbs and flows
Would you like to write a poem for this prompt? Join us here.
To manage this is hard when each moment is so terriying
ReplyDeleteI agree, Bjorn! Getting the brain to see the moments in a different light takes practice, but I'm getting the hang of it. Thanks for stopping by. :-)
DeleteIt's taken me years to understand this, and I'm getting there, Yvette. I try not to notice the small ripples.
ReplyDeleteIt's an everyday work in progress, Kim. At least, it is for me. Thanks for visiting. :-)
DeleteI'm still learning this, Yvette, though I'm at the "a estas alturas" stage in life, The haiku brilliantly complements the prose, just the way it ought. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dora! It took me decades before I found a therapy that helped me find my peace. It doesn't matter when we learn the lesson so long as we learn it. I appreciate your visit. :-)
DeleteInteresting
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting! :-)
DeleteI relate to this very much. I do my best to stay in the moment and not let those worries carry me away.
ReplyDeleteIt took me a while to learn how to do that, and I still have moments where I regress, but I'm becoming much more comfortable being present. Thanks for sharing, Melissa :-)
Deleteexcelente trabajo!
ReplyDeleteGracias, Reena! I appreciate your visit. :-)
Delete❤️❤️
DeleteYou nailed this challenge, Yvette!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jan! I appreciate your visit. :-)
DeleteWe have had an ebbing of that water today with two different rains...
ReplyDeleteBeing in the present and positive is very good. :)
Yes, it is, Jules! Thanks for stopping by. :-)
DeleteIt is so hard when our minds take to take control like that. Beautifully said Yvette xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise! I appreciate your visit. :-)
DeleteI have taken a little time to reflect on your haibun, Yvette, especially after your kind comment on my response to the prompt. My partner, who is suffering from depression, spiralled down to that place of isolation and the events of the outside world did not help, but the old internal traumas were the main cause. I wish she could learn to take control over her thoughts in the way you set out here so well. We read years ago that people who have been damaged may have boundaries so far outside themselves, that all the things that happen on the news, say, feel as if they are happening to them personally, so Barbara cannot watch the news because it just adds to her susto.
ReplyDeleteI am fortunate to be able to critically watch the awful events that are going on around the world with some objectivity because they are outside me, but I am trying to offer some sense in explaining the non-sense and I am finding that the best way, is to respond both with perspective but also with examples of humanity. Even with the authoritarian figures we are now saddled with, I can't help imagining the insecurities and sleighted pasts that must drive them...
I feel for your partner, Andrew. It took a combination of things for me to finally get a sense of balance with my ruminations and anxiety, and it took years. What worked for me? I did a deep dive and practiced mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. I learned about and continue to use emotional frequency tapping. I got neurofeedback therapy (and still do), and I actually met with a therapist frequently. Now, I only see her as needed, but for many years, I met with her monthly (sometimes more often).
DeleteI am at a place now that my rumination is almost non-existent and I do not take everything personally. So, there is hope for Barbara. She just needs to keep searching for what works for her. Thank you for staying by her side and supporting her in her journey through this. I know my village of support made the roughest days easier because I knew I wasn't alone. :-)
A beautiful, gentle haibun, Yvette, but it takes a lot of work to reach that place. Kudos for continually highlighting that mental health is so important and seeking right therapy helps.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Punam! It definitely takes a lot of work, and the work never ends. At least, for me, it hasn't. I appreciate your kind words. :-)
DeleteBrautiful...really liked that haibun...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ain! I appreciate your visit. :-)
Delete