He poured himself a bourbon. The amber liquid seemed to dance in the light of the retreating afternoon sun. The aroma of vanilla and spice played with his nose. Marcus lifted the glass and took a small sip. The warmth washed into his mouth and seconds later, throughout his body. He loved that first sip. Marcus looked out the window of his apartment at the orange and red glow of the clouds and the sun. Above the sky was darkening blues. It would be the evening in a matter of minutes. Marcus let out a small sigh.
His day did not go too well. The body aches and fatigue were constant acquaintances these days. After dealing with the arguments and misunderstandings at work he needed something to ease into and just relax. He looked at the glass. That wasn’t working tonight. Marcus put the glass down and sat on the couch grabbing the TV remote. He stopped before turning on the television. It was the same thing. The rut he had created so many years ago had become too comfortable.
Marcus got up and stood very still in his living room. He remembered his teacher’s words. ‘when the world seems to be carrying you on a meaningless journey, stop. Stand still but just for a moment. Begin to feel the space around you. Feel your place at this very moment. Then, when you feel the weight of the moment and place you are currently in, take a small step backward.’ When he first heard it Marcus didn’t understand the meaning of the practice. Today he did and taking a step backward, he felt the change inside of him. Everything opened up in that moment.
His paintings and drawing material seemed to call to him. His need to create and explore awoke. It was just a step. But when putting meaning and faith in the movement, Marcus felt it work. At this moment the couch didn’t look very comfortable.
The Journey of a thousand miles 