If I had a blog, today I would write about the sacred nature of silence.
The Lord of Holiness
The last few days, the message of The Universe has been, “Be still.” I spent two days on a solo retreat in Missouri Wine Country, enjoying the rare privilege of reading, writing, and sitting in quiet contemplation. Originally, I had gone to the little town of Hermann to eagle-watch along the Missouri River, but when I arrived, I knew my trip was to center around restoring my spirit, not adding to my portfolio. I gave in to the urge to rest and in the stillness of those midwinter days, I found new life in the simple act of doing nothing.
Any doubts I had about forsaking my eagle project were erased this morning when I discovered a handsome bald eagle perched in a tree near the barn. I had followed my heart on my retreat and now the eagle had come to me and I knew at once the story I needed to share:
The Eagle wasn’t always the Eagle. The Eagle, before he became the Eagle, was Yucatangee, the Talker. Yucatangee talked and talked. It talked so much it heard only itself. Not the river, not the wind, not even the Wolf. The Raven came and said “The Wolf is hungry. If you stop talking, you’ll hear him. The wind too. And when you hear the wind, you’ll fly.” So he stopped talking. And became its nature, the Eagle. The Eagle soared, and its flight said all it needed to say. (As told by Marilyn Whirlwind on Northern Exposure).
My Bald Eagle
Today the eagle assured me I can trust my heart; that not all needs are met by action. The eagle reminded me that unless I am quiet in body and in spirit I cannot hear the voice of The Divine. Ralph Waldo Emerson spoke to this when he wrote: “There are voices which we hear in solitude, but they grow faint and inaudible as we enter into the world.” and still more compelling, he admonished, “Let us be silent, that we may hear the whispers of the gods.”
Going forward, I will remember to stop, to be still, and to listen, for then I will not have to go in search of Holiness; it will come in search of me.
If I Had A Blog 
Thank you for such a pertinent piece. For the last week I’ve been sidelined by surgery and for the first time in my life have had to sit still. While I try to sit and listen to the natural world each day, I often forget to sit still and listen to what my body and soul are telling me. This forced stillness has brought home to me the importance of doing that. Very wisely, you listened to your body and mind. I’m so glad it paid off for you.
Thanks Melissa. I’m glad this piece spoke to you. I hope you are feeling well again soon.