A savored and delicious morning walk. Pre fall temperature and wind. I pondered how my presence changed the earth. My feet moved pebbles and grains of sand. My body changed the direction of the wind.  If such a simple act could create and direct such changes, how much more my activities? My words? My energy? My thoughts? My smile….or lack of?

Such ponderous thoughts came to a rude and abrupt halt as a rather large snake rested in my path. My eyes and the sun could not see rattles or not. The path was a road those fishing use. He would be squished like the others I had passed. I wished him safety and walked around. I saw a stick and found myself walking back. At what I thought would be a safe distance, I pounded the ground with the stick hoping the vibrations would move him back to the roadside. It worked! His slivering curled path was heading to the side. I laughed. Well, I laughed until he started back to the center of the road. Hmmmmmmmm. I used the stick to scoot his body back to the side. He didn’t seem to appreciate that at all. Not sure I would have either.

I tried once more and faster than my brain could register he was in a coil and striking out. I might have earned a gold medal for that hobbit jump. Ok. What we have here is a clash of compassion with reality. I again wished him safety and laid the stick on the side with a whisper that it would call him more naturally than I. On the return walk back my heart sank as I approached the area. Three trucks went whizzing beside me leaving me coughing in the dust. No chance they would swerve to miss a sunning snake. I truly did not want to see. A touch to my heart I approached. The image is snakeless as was the road. He was nowhere in sight.

The ending could have been very different. Another time it might. I pondered how my presence changed the earth. My feet moved pebbles and grains of sand. My body changed the direction of the wind.  If such a simple act could create and direct such changes, how much more my activities. My words? My energy? My thoughts? My smile….or lack of?  My fear? My dreams? My meditations and prayers?

The image is snakeless. Now to ponder herding the snakes in my mind, actions, emotions, and the doubts with compassion, gentleness, and trust. To put the stick down and walk gently upon this earth.