To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, my husband—with his deep Irish heritage—gave me a lovely shamrock plant that sits on the windowsill above my kitchen sink. I’ve been reminded of something important by that emerald-green plant. More on that later in the post…
On March 24 and 25, I volunteered, as I have from its inception, for our public library’s Fourth Annual Harry Potter Extravaganza. It’s a magical two days in which children and adults, alike, suspend disbelief and bring the world of author J. K. Rowling’s wizards and witches to life. Not only the Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library, but many of our downtown Edenton, North Carolina businesses get involved in the fun, and a good time is had by all!
Each year I have transformed into that nosy, gossipy reporter for the Daily Prophet, “Rita Skeeter”–toddling around town taking surveys and manning the selfie station at the library. I’m hard to miss in my curly blond wig, lime green suit, beetle pendant, extravagant eye makeup, and peacock feather pen: my Quick Quotes Quil
“Rita” is flamboyant, over-the-top, brassy sassiness. Pretty much the antithesis of my natural personality. Part of the fun, of course, is putting on this wild persona for a couple of days. I’ve got to tell you, though, as much fun as it is, it’s pretty hard work for one who leans far more into the introverting range than does “out-there” Miss Skeeter. I love interacting with all of the people, young and old, but once I’ve peeled myself out of her pantyhose, long fake green nails, and curly wig, I’m ready to hibernate for a couple of days to recharge my batteries!
Even for the extroverts among us, all living beings on our planet need times of rest. I’ve often pondered the strangeness of how nearly every species spends time asleep—virtually unconscious to the world—on a regular basis. I wonder if life on other planets (if there is any) is the same, or if Earth is an anomaly: The Sleeping Planet, if you will.
Now, about that shamrock plant–it perfectly illustrates this cycle of opening up to the world, then closing down. Each evening, its leaves shut together as tightly as Rita Skeeter’s clamped handbag, then—as the sun rises—the leaves unfurl once more in all their verdant glory. I love it! It makes the plant seem more “alive” somehow—as if it’s part animal. I find myself wishing it a “goodnight,” and a “good morning.”
The Bible speaks of there being a season for every purpose under heaven. As human beings, we need to remember that we are part of that cycle. Our periods of dancing in the sun must be accompanied by restful spells of quiet. Otherwise, we might just dance ourselves into the ground, and then what good would we be?
So, take a lesson from the shamrock. Open yourself to the world around you, but then take the time to furl your sails, drop anchor, and gently rock in a sea of rest and rejuvenation. As mysterious and counterintuitive as this may seem in our go-go-go-open-24/7 world, we were made this way for a purpose, and our living energy depends upon our rest, physical, mental, and emotional.
Thanks for stopping by. Y’all come back, now!
Kate (snuggled up with a dog in her lap and a cup of tea by her side)
