I walk carefully along the river’s edge, careful to watch my step. The water is crisp, clear and fast-moving. If I fell in, I’m pretty sure I’d be a quarter mile upstream before I knew it. I follow a path to two big rocks looking out over the river.
I take a break and sit on one of the rocks for a long time listening to the water and the song birds calling from the trees. One bird calls out and then another tweets back. They flutter and flap from branch to branch. I look up into the white puffy clouds and blue sky. It’s the prettiest sight I’ve seen in a long time. I feel like I could spend the entire day on the rocks.
Real life or a painting?
The scene could have been from a recent walk, but it’s actually from a painting that my wife and I purchased for a few dollars from a small holiday craft show about fifteen years ago and has been hanging ever since on various walls in our house. The painting is in an old paned window frame, making it appear that you’re looking out of an old farm house. And for all intents and purposes, I could be on some farm somewhere and the river and trees could be a stone’s throw away.
The frame itself looks aged and painting has the initials MH in the right corner, but that’s all we know about the painting. The frame is heavy as heck, which fortunately means that it doesn’t move much.
We may not know much about the painting, but I like to look up at it every so often. I find that it centers me and helps me reflect on how I’m doing and what I’m grateful for. I see myself in the image. I’m casting a fishing line. I say I’m fishing, but I’m not trying real hard to catch anything. I’m just enjoying being outside in the warm sun and taking in the fresh mountain air. I imagine that another time I’m skimming rocks across the river or picking berries or scoping out the edge of the river looking for deer and other wildlife.
A gut punch
On this particular day, a friend texted me with some troubling health news. I was thinking back on another friend who passed away ten years ago this month. I make a note to send an email to a few of my old coworkers, checking up on them. Oh, life can be hard. Life holds nothing back, it can throw a stiff punch.
When I’m done texting with my friend, I take a break and look up at the painting. Yes, I feel a twinge of anxiety, but I look at the scene and I’m reminded of the goodness in life. I’m reminded too of the importance of taking deep breaths, letting my mind wander for a moment or two, and then pushing on and remembering that clouds come into our life, but they bring more than just rain, they nurture and bring color too.
I looked at the painting a few minutes more and then I’m ready to go again. I get up and go about my routine. I’m ready to face whatever life has to send my way.
I’m ready to cast another line.
….
Please join in on the discussion on the HoTM site. In addition, please visit my personal blog at www.writingfromtheheartwithbrian.com to read the companion piece I wrote today or follow me on Instagram at @writingfromtheheartwithbrian.
All the best, Brian.
The Heart of the Matter 
I love, love, love this. It can be hard to understand the “why”, but certain art just speaks to us…just like your beautiful painting. This? “I find that it centers me.” So perfect, Brian. Clouds bring rain…but they nurture, too? Another beautiful line in your post. Thank you for providing a wonderful morning meditation to start my day. 😊
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I’m not sure if you saw, but I don’t think I had that cloud ending right away. I think it was one of the last things I added. We had just a had a big storm and I looked outside there were still some clouds. Ta-dah, my ending! I guess that’s how it works some days! I’ll take it.
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That’s amazing! Inspired writing right there! 😉
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A tender reverie, Brian. Thank you. It reminds me of ancient wisdom. We can’t step into the same river twice.
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Aww, thanks Dr. Stein. I wish it passed along wise words like that, but it does bring a sense f peace and calmness. I love that advice though.
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I love the intentional interlude, the brief visit to another place to bring perspective to the troubling news from your friend. It seems like a wonderful meditative technique – like trying to listen to only the melody in a piece of music. I’m sorry about the loss of your friend. Beautiful, Brian.
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I like how you phrase it: intentional interlude. My way sounds like I’m just goofing off. Intentional interlude sounds more professional. Ha, ha, I love it. Thank you Wynne.
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❤ ❤ ❤
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Beautifully written. And a good reminder to take a break and let our minds wander. What a lovely painting.
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Breaks are good. I need to remind myself of that sometimes, but I’m actually more creative right after I’ve taken one. Crazy.
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👍🏼
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I enjoyed reading this and I like how the painting inspires you to be better, to keep going. Your “casting a line” idea resonates with mellow me.
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I’m not a fisherman, but I like the idea of casting a line too. I think it’s the idea of sending out positive thoughts, of being proactive, but not aggressive or assertive. Thanks for letting me know if made sense Ally!
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Beautifully written, Brian. As others have pointed out, it really is fascinating how some artwork just speaks to us and help us feel more grounded.
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Thanks Erin. Yes, I’m not sure why this one does, it just does. I guess it being nature helps. My wife moved it two years ago to a new spot and I find that I look for it much more now. Funny.
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I think it’s lovely when we can find personal meaning in a piece of art no matter what form it takes. I really like that picture and the calm tranquility it evokes.
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The green and the trees jump out at me. It’s a painting but I can easily imagine looking out the window at something very similar to that. It definitely calms me.
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I love that painting and the peace it invokes. It seems like, as we age, the gut punches increase. We have to look for activities, paintings, and books that can center us. Hope your friend will be OK.
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Thank you for asking about my friend Margaret. I appreciate that. And yes, the gut punches do seem to be increasing, but I’m thankful that I have reminders like the painting to see the good in life! Thank you.
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Being married to a professional photographer, I love when one finds a piece of art that resonates strongly with them! Life is good!
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It is interesting how one thing touches one person, but something else touches you or me. We all have our favorites!
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It’s amazing where we can find inspiration or treasure belongings, such as art, from. This piece sounds special and I can see the vivid image it creates in your head.
That is also very kind of you to reach out to your colleagues during this sad milestone.
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