Somewhere Right Now
August 2, 2012 § 24 Comments
Somewhere right now a woman is running on a mountain trail, the wind in her face, pushing herself, pressing on, alone and unwatched.
Somewhere right now a man sits on his bed, looking down at his lover still sleeping, seeking only to be close, knowing that whatever comes, he is all in.
Somewhere right now a child is walking into a school building, head up, shoulders back, striding purposefully into a cauldron of taunts and humiliations.
Strength is in the effort- not in the achievement. Achievement is an external marker. Effort comes only from within.
That runner may never win a race. That lover may have his heart shattered. That child may come undone. But each of them- in their moments of effort- is strength. Embodied.
only here only now 
A big WOW!
Powerful poetry in prose, loved it!
Lena,
I try to express myself in a stripped down style in these posts. Feels right to me. And this leaves more space for the reader to find her own meaning, I believe. Like poetry that way, I hope.
It’s good to be connected.
Tom
hi tom
everyone’s just doing the best he or she can at his or her level of consciousness; no judgment, just acceptance
your ‘achievement’ reference brought to mind:
Know thyself,
in this way
you will come to know
what is right for self;
then forge ahead
irrespective of outside influences
and their illusory principles
of success and failure.
10th February 2010
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
Wow. Thomas, I can not say how beautiful and TRUE this is. This is how I want to live. How I like to live when I live it well. Absolutely beautiful. I’m going to tweet this: “Strength is in the effort- not in the achievement. Achievement is an external marker. Effort comes only from within.”
Bethany, I have often thought how fortunate I am to have found such a thoughtful reader as you. So glad we connected.
Thank you.
Tom
Me too. I have another blogger who writes zen type content. I will hook you up with him soon.
poetic and pertinent. cheers.
Very nice compliment, especially coming from a true poet.
Thanks.
Tom
You whittle the essential truth down to something that soars. I want to know what happens if your last paragraph comes true. Can they do it a second time, and a third? I know…in the moment. Again. But…so hard.
It is so hard. But for those moments, those heroic moments, we should revere each of them. And we should regard ourselves for our own moments of effort.
Thank you for the read and the generous compliment.
Tom
Hi Tom, Thank you for this post, you always get me thinking! Very powerful story, three stories in one, all with a few words. All three characters have a powerful inner strength, something I often struggle with! You write so beautifully.
Namaste
Anne
That inner strength is tough to hold- but it’s so precious.
Anne, you are so generous in your attention to- and support for- my writing. I’m grateful.
Tom
Such a powerful post. Not a word is wasted. Simply beautiful.
Nicole, thanks for reading my work and leaving your kind and encouraging words. Tom
Simply beautiful. My own shattered heart needed to find strength today – and you just helped me find it. Thank you.
Laura, in so many ways, you embody strength.
To tell me that my writing has helped in this way is an act of generosity- a great gift to me.
Thanks.
Tom
I think this is one of your best articles. I do love how you are able to convey a message and a feeling in just a few words. Very well done. 🙂
Susan, you definitely understand what I’m trying to do. My heart is really in this work. Thank you for your continued support. Tom
So strong in its simplicity……
Jennifer, thanks. I’m trying to express these thoughts in a simple way with few words but, I hope, real meaning.
Tom
Beautifully said, Thomas. Each of these has the heart of a warrior. Thank you.
Yes, the heart of a warrior. Perfect.
Thanks.
Tom