I find that (sometimes) we make way for things to just get checked off a list. Certain goals we may have whether it is towards our dreams or to get from A to B. For example, if I wanted to sell multiple volumes of books I would make sure to keep writing. I would have to go to the grocery store to get food to eat dinner that night. Space and time are made for such things. Not only are these things met with logic, but they are sometimes announced and accepted with pride. Taking action towards another action to then another. If someone is consistently doing something, they are “living”, they are productive.
What happens when we want to make way for rest? Stillness? Quietness? This is the idea that many people have difficulty with. Others often don’t see it as a building block for other things. Rest is not A nor B. Rest can be seen as something lazy, unproductive, and weak. The only instance in which resting seems the most logical is when one is sick. Too weak to be productive so one must rest to get stronger so they can get back to being productive. I, on the other hand, find stillness and being one with calm surroundings crucial to growth.
*Make Way for Ducklings Spoilers
While reading Make Way for Ducklings, by Robert McCloskey, it was apparent that finding the most ideal spot was the most logical way to make life promising for the characters. In the story, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are trying to find the best place to live. One spot looked nice but it would have left them vulnerable to predators. Another, was a public garden with a pond and abundant food offerings from humans but the risk of fast-moving bicycles proved to be too dangerous. At last, a place by the river was found not too far from the public garden. It was close enough to the garden so Mr. and Mrs. Mallard could get food from kind human resources but far enough away to make a comfortable place to nest.
Mrs. Mallard patiently kept her eggs warm, only stopping to get a drink, have lunch, or count the eggs. After the ducklings hatched Mr. Mallard wanted to go exploring further down the river. He told Mrs. Mallard to meet with him in a week at the public garden. While he was gone Mrs. Mallard further raised her ducklings, teaching them how to swim, dive, walk in a line, and look out for anything with wheels. When she felt they were ready they made their way to the highway where cars were speeding and honking. With the help of a local police officer, they managed to cross the street. The officer let other officers know to look out for the ducks. The other officers helped the ducks cross numerous streets until they safely made their way into the public garden. Mrs. Mallard, being very grateful, eventually swam into the pond where Mr. Mallard was waiting. The ducklings loved their new home, swimming alongside swan boats and eating peanuts from generous humans. When night would fall, they would swim to the little pond island to fall asleep
This little story points out the effort it takes to find ideal conditions. Whether it’s internal or external. Taking the pauses to nurture yourself or something else is part of this necessary process. You don’t want to feel vulnerable and stick out in a wide open space but you don’t want to be rushed in a busy society either. Searching for stability in stillness grounds us and helps us nurture our minds, hearts, and emotions. It’s so we can learn to navigate the world like Mrs. Mallard raising her ducklings. She took the time to find where she was most comfortable to nest so then eventually she could apply her teachings. It was only when she felt everyone was ready, that the journey started to settle down again. Taking the time, resting, absorbing and learning is basic nature. It doesn’t just start and start. The breaks, the pauses, the relaxations, should not be frowned upon in a rushed society but understood. Reflection is how we learn from mistakes, standing still is how we put things in perspective and sleep is how we thank our bodies. Just like the officers in the story, practice policing your mind. Stop the internal traffic and admire the natural course of it all. Let it pass and marvel at the time it took you to move on to the next journey that lies ahead. And when others start to marvel along with you because of you, the whole world stops and takes notice. So whenever you’re anxious, remind yourself to make way for those ducklings!
Melodie Anne 