Finding Calm: Lessons from a Duck and My Dad

Embracing Stillness

My dad speaks to me in funny ways… sometimes in still moments, or through animals, and in ways I don’t expect. This morning, a mallard sat on the dock, its brilliant markings contrasting against the blue sky and calm water. He was still, even as I approached. In that quiet moment, I heard something like, “Bring a coffee and pull up a chair,” as if he said it. And so, of course, I did.

“See how calm the water is? How the lake is like glass today?” The duck seemed to say in my imagination. … “Can you feel how soft and quiet the air is?”… (long pause) “Don’t forget to fall in love with all this,” the duck continued. “Lean back. You have time.”

Only his voice somehow resembled my dad’s. My dad would know that a cup of coffee would hook me every time. He also understood my “conditioned tendency,” a somatic term for bodies that press and stress into automatic shapes under pressure. One of mine is the “get-er-done” shape. I push forward, make lists. Where some see beauty, I see that the lawn mower missed spots, and now I have more things to get done—a list that burns in my chest like money burns in pockets. I want stuff done, and ALL done, so I can put a bow on it.

The Dangers of the To-Do List

And then what? After all that, I forget to fall in love. I lose the plot. There I am, wound tight, sitting in hot traffic, fantasizing about my list, and I’m missing the whole point.

The duck drops into the still water and glides to a ledge in full sun. Now his emerald-gold sparkles in brighter colors than I ever knew existed. I have new eyes. He’s basking in the sun and sipping water like it’s delicious. He looks like he has all day—an idea that’s foreign to me. My body eases back into my chair as I watch him—like he’s showing me how.

Lessons from My Dad

My dad eventually eased back into his chair as a way of life. He used to climb hills of ambition with his long legs, like everything was a race—one ambition after another. Yet, he somehow learned how to rest into his back body, put his feet up, and savor. He was gliding on water and taking it all in—just like this duck. And he begged me to do the same.

Only I couldn't hear him because I wasn’t done with this list. Besides, he never quite understood how important my list was.

The Moment of Realization

But today, I could hear my dad’s voice speaking through soft water because I was too tired to fuss, too quiet to think, too slow and too still to do anything but hear words wrapped in the beauty of a duck: “Don’t forget to fall in love, or you’ll lose the plot.” he says one last time as he swims away.

There I sat, a soft body glistening in the morning sun, finally realizing this is all my dad ever wanted for me.

The Power of Presence

In our busy lives, we often forget to pause. We rush from one task to another, consumed by our lists. But what if we took a moment to breathe? To simply be? The duck reminded me of the beauty in stillness. It’s in those quiet moments that we can reconnect with ourselves and the world around us.

Finding Joy in the Everyday

Life is filled with small joys. A warm cup of coffee, a gentle breeze, or the sound of birds chirping can bring us back to the present. These moments are precious. They remind us to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.

The Importance of Connection

Connecting with nature can be a powerful way to ground ourselves. Just like the duck on the water, we can learn to float through life, embracing each moment. It’s about finding balance—between ambition and relaxation, between doing and being.

A Call to Action

So, let’s take a cue from that duck. Let’s lean back, breathe deeply, and savor life. Make time for the things that truly matter. Whether it’s a walk in the park, a chat with a friend, or simply enjoying a cup of coffee, these moments are what life is all about.

Conclusion

In the end, it’s not about the list. It’s about the love we cultivate in our lives. So, let’s not forget to fall in love with the little things. They make the journey worthwhile. And remember, you have time… just like that duck.

Let’s glide through life together, shall we?