Hey little guy,
what ya doin today?
Not much dear girl,
I thought I’d sway.
From tree to tree,
and to and fro.
And watch the people
down below.
They rush and run,
don’t notice the sun.
They text and talk,
and run, not walk
Inhaling food,
not savouring each bite.
Under a tree,
they’ve lost all sight.
Of what it is
to live each day.
To love and learn,
and rest and play.
To see the gift
each moment can bring.
Oh well, dear girl
I’m off to swing.
I was invited by Elizabeth from Tea and Paper to join the Five Photos, Five Stories Challenge: “Post a photo each day for five consecutive days and attach a story to the photo. It can be fiction or non-fiction, a poem or a short paragraph and each day nominate another blogger for the challenge”. Elizabeth posts photos, poems, artsy stuff and other things on her lovely blog. Please drop by and check it out.
I started this challenge on Monday last week, however I have had difficulties with my internet connection. I have also been really uninspired lately. Even though our move is complete, getting everything organized and in place hasn’t been completed yet. Being a person that thrives on routine, this has left me a bit stumped. The good thing is that this past weekend I was able to get a lot done. Now I just need to clean up and organize my creative space.
My nomination for today is Kate Loveton, from Odyseey of a Novice Writer. I’ve been following Kate since my earlier days of blogging and she is a great writer. I especially like her flash fiction. Check her out. You won’t be disappointed.
In keeping with the theme, I thought I’d continue on the topic of ‘rest’. It seems like a lot of humanity has lost sight of listening to and obeying our bodies, and their need for rest. In this fast-paced life, we need to be intentional with our rest. There are so many things that vie for our attention, that if we don’t get intentional, sooner or later we’ll burn out. I’m guilty of it. I think most of us probably are. Even God rested after creating everything. He knew it was important. Rest is not a luxury, but essential for our health.
Are you guilty of not being intentional with rest? Have you ever suffered burn out? How did it effect you physically, mentally and emotionally?
stacilys.wordpress.com 
That is really lovely Staci! We have to find time to slow down and enjoy every day life, all little precious things we take for granted…
So true Sibella. There’s so much drawing our attention now-a-days that it seems so hard.
🙂
There was a time, when if I didn’t feel burnt out, then I didn’t think I’d done anything. Not anymore though.
Oh really? Wow. I don’t handle stress well. Actually, I freak right out. Eek.
So glad that you don’t think like that anymore.
🙂
I sure don’t. Or at least I try not to 🙂
Yea, me too. Actually, the older I get, the more I know myself. I no longer put up with trying to meet the expectations of others. If I can’t do something, then it’s ‘no’.
🙂
Hi Staci, I was wondering if I had missed your posts. Today is holiday here “Victory day”, do you remember? So I’m trying to catch up with my reader. Love your poem and the monkey, it’s cute, but seems a little bit upset, I wouldn’t go to close to it. Have a lovely day!
Hahaha. Thank God for macro lenses eh 🙂 Yea, I guess if I got too close, I may have gotten a bit hurt.
Yea, my internet here was awful last week. Friday night it was up and running better though. Then Saturday I was busy all day, and Sunday trying to organize my house (seems never ending).
Oh yes, Victoria Day. That’s right, it’s May isn’t it.
Glad you enjoyed this one Elizabeth.
🙂
I loved your poem and photo today, Staci! You captured the curiosity and mischief of the little monkey. 🙂 I’ve had burnout many times over the course of my life. I burned out with music before, trying to be a full time gigging band and a full time day job. I just seemed so tired and had little patience with anyone. Friendships declined, and I retreated into a solitary life. I dealt with it by quitting music for about 10 years. It had taken that long for the beauty and magic of music to return to me.
Wow! Really? 10 years? That’s a long time Rob. I can’t see you separating yourself from music for that long. You must have really been burned out.
Thank you so much Rob. I’m so glad you liked this post today. I actually started writing this little piece way back before I moved. I wanted to wait until moving here to post it, because I knew I could get a good picture of a mice monkey here.
🙂
Yeah, 10 years. And I didn’t miss it. We traveled a lot and worked a lot. We fought a lot, too, and that was what really drained me. Now, it’s fun again and there’s no pressure. Just the way art ought to be – not driven by commercial pressure!
I like the conversation with the monkey, the way he observes humanity- telling. I try to be intentional about rest, but sometimes it doesn’t work out 🙂
Hahaha. I thought it would be fun to do a little piece on the way a monkey would see us humans rushing about while he’s up in the trees doing his thing.
I hear you there. Sometimes it really doesn’t work out. Obligations and responsibilities can snuff out the opportunities for rest.
Thanks Timi.
🙂
there have been times when I have let work get the best of me but I think writing has been like a meditation that reminds me to slow down and observe the moment 🙂 Great poem my friend!
Ohhhh, I love that Neha. How writing helps you to slow down and observe the moment.
Thank you.
🙂 ❤
The picture and poem are perfect together, Staci!!! I’m not too great at rest and even worse at being still with the Lord! My mind is soooo easily distracted. I’m trying to learn how to rest in God in the midst of my day. I’m definitely a work in progress. Settling in takes a lot more time than anticipated. I’m glad things are getting a bit more settled for you. Xoxo
Thanks Kirsten. I love living near little guys like this one.
I’m not the best at rest either, and also am a work in progress. I think we’ll always be a work in progress eh. Well, last night I was working on my own little personal creative space until after 10:00pm. I’m dying to get it done.
🙂
I’m jealous that you will have you own personal creative space!!! Actually, I’m glad you will have it so that you can continue sharing your creative endeavors with us 🙂
Ha! Yes, I actually have my own little space, tucked away in the back. I’m looking forward to finally having it organized and set up.
Awwwww, thanks so much Kirsten. You’re a blessings. Btw, when are you coming to visit me Hmmmmmm???
🙂
What a great picture. And such a great conversation. I’d love swinging from tree to tree. This is my last week of school. I’m ready to relax and recharge.
Hahaha. Then I could call you Jane. 🙂
Oh wow, you must be sooooo excited. Two months to relax, recharge, and maybe have a bit of fun, hmmmmmm?
🙂
Yes, indeed. Call me Jane, if you’d like. ♡
lol
Incredible thoughts. Maybe we need to go back to thinking more like monkey’s and other animals/plants. So much texting we can’t even find time to say hello sometimes. I hope you’re having a great Monday!
Heyyyyy Benjamin. Yes, I agree. Maybe we do need to take the monkey’s and other animals’ examples. Funny how technology pulls us away from human contact and connection, isn’t it? But then again, sometimes it can draw us into connection, like through blogging. I am very thankful for my blogging friends, like you. But yes, we do need to take the time to say hello and build relationship with those around us. Especially those in our family.
Have a great week.
🙂
Well, I can completely agree to all that. Technology can bring the whole world closer too in the ways you said. I’m sure without this blogging we would’ve never met, which would be unfortunate. You’re a wonderful woman with many great thoughts and talents. Have a great week as well!
Awww, yes that’s true. We never would have me without blogging, and that really would have been unfortunate. I appreciate you and your friendship Benjamin.
Thank you so much for writing such sweet things. I’m so touched that you think I have great thoughts and talents. You’re such an encouragement, my friend. And hey, we need to collaborate sometime soon of a poem together. I’ve been a bit of a stump. Trying it hard to create much lately, but I know I’m just in a down moment right now. Soon enough the sun will shine again though, right. It always does.
Take care and have a wonderful week.
🙂
You’re welcome. I’m in the same slump with writing now, but soon it will go away I’m sure. Have a great rest of your week too! 🙂
Awwww, sorry to hear that Benjamin. Yea, I guess we go through seasons.
🙂
Hi Staci! Love this post…how cute is that monkey? 🙂 🙂 Awareness…hmmm….and rest…hmmm. Nice! I hope you are taking the time you need…you have had so much change…sometimes we need to stop and breathe and take it all in! Much love to you ♡
Oh yes, isn’t he just a little cutie. I love living so close to them.
I’m so glad you ‘love’ this post Lorrie.
I am trying to rest up. Last night I just worked on my little creative space.I worked until too late and was upset with the hubby for not working as well. Eek. Not his fault. He decided to rest after helping a friend of ours with their move. I’m just dying to get that space done and completed though.
You are so right. We do need to stop and breathe and take it all in.
Much love to you too, my friend.
🙂 ❤
Hang in there beautiful! Much love ♡
Thanks you so much Lorrie. I will.
🙂 ❤
I’ve had a massively busy couple of weeks and am paying for it now. I’m on the tail-end of a migraine that I’ve had for four days now, which was no doubt brought on by not listening to my body as I pushed it beyond its limits these last few weeks.
I hope you and your family are well, Staci! ❤
Ohhhhhh, I’m so sorry to hear that Heather. Another migraine eh? Poor you. Make sure you take care of yourself ok.
We are well, although with the change in weather I’ve been feeling very down and lethargic. I’m very affected by climate changes.
Thanks Heather.
🙂
Yep, I’ve had two migraines in the space of two months which is quite unusual for me as they tend to be more spaced out throughout the year. I am going to go back to my GP to see if there is anything that can be done to lessen the amount of time that I lose to them as they tend to last for several days.
I hope you’re feeling better, too ❤
Oh, that’s not fun at all. I had migraines a lot when I was pregnant with both of my children. I hated it. Yes, you really have to see your doctor about it. I hope things get better Heather. On another note, when are you off to visit the lovely Kate?
🙂
shame on me for not commenting on your posts sooner. I love the simplicity of this poem, and yet the message is so deep..we humans are always in a rush that we forget the magic of life..the sun on our faces..the tingling rush of wind on our skin..
Hahaha. Yes, we are such scurriers, aren’t we? I love the small and simple things of life. For me, that’s where the true treasures are.
Thanks a ton, Sensoria300 and have a great week.
🙂
Fun and a good message on this. Thanks
I’m glad you liked it Mark. Fun is good every once in a while eh.
🙂
You’re poem is so fabulous. I love that it was so easy and quick to read and the meaning in it.
Awwww, thanks so much Hummie. I actually wrote most of it when I was still in North-east Brazil (I think November). I just wanted to wait until we moved, because I knew that where I’m at now would provide these type of opportunities.
🙂