Every day, I stop and take time to blog. Yesterday morning, after I’d taken the time and the room to write my post, I dropped one of my favorite watches. It fell face down and — with the sound of glass meeting wooden floor — time stopped for me momentarily, as I catastrophized and imagined the worst:
I’ve broken that watch. I know it’s ruined.
When I picked up my beloved time-keeper, my negative thoughts stopped because I saw a face neither broken nor scratched. I then stopped to take the time to put on my watch, carefully.
Later in the day, I glanced at my watch to discover it had stopped.
I realized it was stopped at the exact time I had dropped my watch at home.
For the rest of the day, time was stopped at five minutes to 10, according to my watch. Nevertheless, I did not stop using my time at work.
After my time at work had stopped, I went to see a dance concert at one of Boston’s most popular venues, The Orpheum Theater. Throughout my life, I’ve stopped to enjoy performances at the Orpheum by Bruce Springsteen, Pat Metheny, the Moody Blues, and many other amazing musicians.
I stopped to snap these photos:
At some point during the night, time stopped again as I heard about the violence in Paris — at a soccer field, cafes, and a concert hall much like the Orpheum.
I hope the violence stops.
I’m stopping this post to express my grief about time stopping for so many, last night.
Finally, I never stop feeling grateful for those who dance, those who read, and those who work for peace.
The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally 
I so hope so …
I’m stopping to share in your hope.
I can’t stop thinking about how some people who profess to be of the same flesh and blood as us can do what they did in Paris last night, Ann. May those who survived somehow be made whole of body and mind and spirit again. May those who played any part in the violence be caught and punished. May humankind come to its senses and stop behaving this way.
I so appreciate the times when you stop by here, Mark.
Ann my heart is sad this morning. My son lives in London, England and I worry that the attacks may cross the channel. I know I shouldn’t think this way but ISIS has already claimed responsibility for last night’s attacks and threatens that more is coming. As I grieve for the victims and their families, I pray for a peaceful end to this mayhem.
I so appreciate the time you take to express yourself here, Carol. My heart goes out to you and to all those who fear and grieve.
When there’s so much darkness in the world around us, it’s good to stop and appreciate the light shone by people who care.
Thanks for stopping by here to shine your light, Kim.
Hi Ann, I am sad today. I am also mad, because a group with some really demented views on life is trying to make the rest of the world miserable with their horrible schemes and attacks. I sense if something is not done, the attacks will become more frequent and brazen. With all the military power in the world, why are they not rallying together to wipe this group off the face of the earth?
I feel your sadness and anger, SD. I am always grateful when you stop and take time to comment here.
I love the analogy with the broken watch, it´s brilliant. Time stops for me also, when I meditate, because I see the fragility of life, and how redundant things become when there are others who have nothing or have to face terrorism and live with that menace.
I love the time you take to stop and comment brilliantly, Maria.
I do hope the watch is repairable. At least we all woke up today
I am grateful that I woke up, too, Derrick, and the watch is repaired.
Good
If only time could stop at times to give us more time that would be interesting not cool but interesting but not sure if it would be a good thing or a bad thing properly bad just saying
Thanks for stopping by here Joanne. Just saying.
I’m glad the watch is repaired. Last night I was thinking with Parisians coming out and offering people places to sleep, we saw the best and worst of humanity, one event, one day.
Difficult times often include reparative experiences, too. I’m so glad you commented here.
Reblogged this on Ancien Hippie.
Thanks for taking the time to reblog this.
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Are the “guilt” and “shame” arrows pointing up toward “publish or perish”?
Publish or perish can induce guilt and shame in people, some times. Thanks for visiting, Julianna.
You mean, when it’s that black and white (and they somehow are doing the perish side of it)?
Emphasizing the perish side can be quite anxiety provoking, don’t you think?
For certain! 😜 I would always shape it to be a win-win…something like “Publish and Prosper” or “Each time I publish, I take a powerful step forward on my path.” 😉
Time stops when somebody says something this brilliant. Thanks, Julianna!
😉
Ah, time indeed! It brings to mind the adage: time and tide waits for no man! Despite your watch stopping upon its fall, time still marched on. We can think positively in that despite the Isis destruction in Paris, the French people will march on in spirit, determination, solidarity, sheer defiance and hope. Viva la France! 👍🏻
Viva la you, Wendy!
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