Saturday night I took a trip to Chattanooga Tennessee.  I took this photo about 10 pm underneath the Walnut Street Bridge.  This historic bridge was built in 1890 and is the oldest and largest surviving truss bridge in the South.  It was the first multi-use structure to span the 652 mile Tennessee River and was condemned and slated for demolition when local citizens convinced the City of Chattanooga to commit the funds earmarked for the bridge’s demolition to its restoration, and then raised the balance of the renovation cost.

        Now the bridge serves as a pedestrian walkway and it is a great experience to walk across the river at night in this beautiful city.  We almost always visit this bridge when we are in the city, especially at night.   At the north end of the bridge is a great park and many other local attractions and night spots.  We walked across the bridge and then lounged around in the park for a while; when I noticed these four young people setting silently upon this small dock. 

        As I stand here in the semi-darkness looking at these four people I begin to look beyond them at the beautiful sight that they have been silently gazing at.  Off to the right I see the Tennessee Aquarium, I watch the noiseless waters of the river slowly float past and as the minutes slowly drift bye I begin to feel better, stronger and more refreshed.  Strange how that happens when we simply slow down enough to enjoy the beauty right before our eyes, it is like giving vitamins to the soul.

        How long has it been since you have taken a slow walk through the woods?  How long has it been since you have laid on your back and gaze up at the clouds or the stars?  Has it been a while since you have enjoyed some good old fashioned quite time?  Why not give it a try?  You might be surprised how much better you feel afterwards; things just may appear clearer and your problems might not seem so large after some R&R.  Today, why not steal away and just be still?  What have you got to lose?

Something to think about:

• Great tranquility of heart is his who cares for neither praise nor blame.

• No sleep can be tranquil unless the mind is at rest.

• All the troubles of life come upon us because we refuse to sit quietly for a while each day in our room.

• I cannot be the man I should be without times of quietness. Stillness is an essential part of our growing deeper as we grow older.

• Only in a quiet mind is adequate perception of the world.

• Practice the art of aloneness and you will discover the treasure of tranquility. Develop the art of solitude and you will unearth the gift of serenity.

• A quiet conscience sleeps in thunder.

• Peace within makes beauty without.

• Peace is when time doesn’t matter as it passes by.

Shhh, do you hear that?
Rickey Moore