Anxiety or Joy?

By Kelly C. Mullen July 8, 2014 – Posted in: Anxiety

Through mind-body coaching, I get to help clients explore the space within and beyond their thoughts and emotions – so I thought it only appropriate that my first blog post include a poem where there’s a whole lot of space between the words.

The following is a true story.

Holding Joy

Hummingbird courtesy of jeffreyw*

A couple sit
Outside
On the terrace

Flashes of colors
Boxes of flowers

A breeze flows freely
The smell of coffee

I step through
The shop’s open doorway
I sit down
To face the window bay

Inside windows so high
They reach into the sky

It’s Sunday

But I’m tapping
On my laptop
Just to catch up
And then I stop

There’s still tapping

I look up and see

A hummingbird!

Flapping its wings against the window
A 60 beats per second tempo

It must be anxious
To get out
Red flowers calling it

How will it…
Find its way

How can I…
Set it free?

There must be…

Something
I can do
Some action
I should take

But then, I breathe
I close my eyes
To drop in, and see

I’m in me

I open my eyes

And to my surprise

Completely motionless
Resting on
Red cushioned bench pillows

A hummingbird!

Spread out wide, wings
An iridescent green
I’ve never seen

Beauty

I reach out my hand
Intention clear
“Will you let me hold you?”

But then, I see

A needle-sharp beak
Moving too swiftly

I fear

A needle-sharp beak
Moving too swiftly

Still

I reach out my hand
Intention clear
“Will you let me hold you?”

Between my fingertips
A gentle squeeze
Holding
A hummingbird
Joy

I lift it up, inches
In front of me
Holding
A hummingbird
Joy

A brilliant, vibrant, green
In front of me
Holding
A hummingbird
Joy

But then…

I have the thought
“I can’t believe…
I am holding…
A hummingbird”

Slipping
From my fingertips
Flying
To the window bay

A hummingbird

Flapping its wings against the window
A 60 beats per second tempo

– Kelly C. Mullen

What resonated with you while reading this poem?

If you could have/experience anything and be guaranteed that it will manifest, what would that be?

What is the greatest challenge, or frustration, that you are facing?

Please leave a comment. I’d love to know.

_____________________

*Photograph: doop-dee-doop, hummin along… by jeffreyw (license)

Transforming Fatigue & Frozen Energy

2 comments… add one

Bana July 17, 2015, 7:06 am

Hi, Kelly! For me the moment of stillness, when the hummingbird was resting was the one standing out the most. I could feel it tengibly. Perhaps it is because I love watching birds, it feels like times slows down and almost stops while I absorb all the details of how they look and move. I am not a bird watcher, but generally love watching animals, and they sometimes come really close, so the joy of holding the bird in your hand also resonated for me. What a beautiful poem, feels like meditation! Bana

Kelly C. Mullen July 18, 2015, 12:41 am

Bana – Love how you noticed time slowing down/almost stopping while watching. So true!

Hello! I'm Kelly. Welcome to my website.

I create and hold space for "hidden healers" to recover from burnout, reveal their purpose and connect to their inner wisdom so they can experience more ease, energy, and engagement.

Schedule a free consultation.

It wasn’t until Kelly guided me through a series of steps that I was able to go to the source of the physical pain and find relief. Kelly’s approach is gentle yet focused. She keeps you on target and metaphorically holds your hand when you are feeling most vulnerable. The result is a more confident, relaxed me who is able to focus my energy on pursuing my life’s purpose.”
~ A.K.